Abundant Life Church…. Christmas worship and lunch

worship

lunch

with Bart rapping

He went to search of sinners.

“When it is a question of a sinner He does not merely stand still, open his arms and say, ‘Come hither’; no, He stands there and waits, as the father of the lost son waited, rather He does not stand and wait, He goes forth to seek, as the shepherd sought the lost sheep, as the woman sought the lost coin. He goes- yet no, He has gone, but infinitely farther than any shepherd or any woman, He went, in sooth, the infinitely long way from being God to becoming man, and that way He went to search of sinners.” Søren Kierkegaard

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

Celebration of Christmas

Celebration of Christmas at our house with Jon and Dan's families.

Kyoritsu Hospital

Last Sat., at Kyoritsu Hospital, our church sang Carols and Jon gave a Christmas message (above). Many terminally ill patients.

Celebration of Advent

"The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

'I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah' Psalm 32:5

It's the season!

We've already had a Christmas-ish meal. Thanks Naho!

"Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!" 2 Corinthians 9:15

‘Not many noble’

“Think of what you were when God called you. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” 1 Corinthians 1:26

“I am very thankful for the letter ‘M.’ I am thankful the verse says, ‘not many noble’ instead of ‘not any noble.’” Queen Victoria

"Oh, the power, the melting, conquering, transforming power of that dear cross of Christ!…"

"Oh, the power, the melting, conquering, transforming power of that dear cross of Christ! My brethren, we have but to abide by the preaching of it, we have but constantly to tell abroad the matchless story, and we may expect to see the most remarkable spiritual results. We need despair of no man now that Jesus has died for sinners. With such a hammer as the doctrine of the cross, the most flinty heart will be broken; and with such a fire as the sweet love of Christ, the most mighty iceberg will be melted. We need never despair for the heathenish or superstitious races of men; if we can but find occasion to bring the doctrine of Christ crucified into contact with their natures, it will yet change them, and Christ will be their king." C. H. Spurgeon

'So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."' Romans 1:15-17

Thanksgiving!

Here at Abundant Life Church we had Thanksgiving on Nov. 23rd, last Sat.  We had about 40. Many foreigners. As you see, the men cut up the turkey.

"Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians １：１２−１４

John and Anne

It was nice seeing Dr. John Smith and his wife, Anne, the other day here in Matsumoto. They're from Australia and he was in Nagoya lecturing. They worshipped here at Abundant Life Church a few years ago, while he was teaching geology at Shinshu University.

I was made for another world.

“If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” C.S. Lewis

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."　Colossians 3:1-2

Azumino Family Chapel

 Japan Alps

Azumino Family Chapel

Praising!

Me preaching, yesterday.

"We are doing quite well, thank you."

That was the reputation of the church in Laodicea. It was a church of relentless activity and apparent success. A remarkable confidence characterized the people, evidenced by their self-assessment: "I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing" (Rev. 3:17). Laodicea was a congregation with a 5-star rating. Visitors who came would say, "What more could you want? They've got everything here." If the pastor at Laodicea had called the congregation to a season of reflection regarding their spiritual life, the members would have said, "We are doing quite well, thank you."

Read more: 3 Ways Christ Can Be Outside Your Church – The Gospel Coalition Blog

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20

'Loneliness'

Sunday, Joey Stoll spoke on 'Loneliness' at Abundant Life Church.

Thanks, Joey.

Only a small crack….,

“Only a small crack…., but small cracks make caves collapse.” Alexander Solzhenitsyn

"For who hath despised the day of small things?…" Zechariah 4:10

Picnic

On the way to Hakuba, 

where they had the Nagano Olympics,

we had a picnic.

Naho made 'rice balls.'

It's fall.

Family w/ Joey Stoll.

Kaichi Elementary School

Near the Matsumoto Castle.

Visited with our guest Joey.

One of the oldest elementary schools in Japan- around 1876.

Note the angels.

Reformation Day

Today, October 31st is REFORMATION DAY….

"What has to happen is the renewal of the understanding of the gospel itself. It is when the gospel is clearly proclaimed in all of its fullness that God exercises His redeeming power to bring about renewal in the church and in the world. It is in the gospel and nowhere else that God has given His power unto salvation." RC Sproul

"All are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Rom 3:24

Read more: Fueling Reformation by R.C. Sproul | Reformed Theology Articles at Ligonier.org

There is a Fountain Filled with Blood

 “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood” (1772) was one of the first hymns William Cowper wrote after his first attack of deep depression, when he attempted to commit suicide repeatedly. 

North American Review, January, 1834, wrote the following: As the time (for his bar exam) drew nigh, his agony became more and more intense; he hoped and believed that madness would come to relieve him; he attempted also to make up his mind to commit suicide, though his conscience bore stern testimony against it; he could not by any argument persuade himself that it was right, but this desperation prevailed, and he procured from an apothecary the means of self-destruction…” He repeatedly attempted suicide, but something was stopping him each time. However, “he felt as if he had offended God so deeply that his guilt could never be forgiven, and his whole heart was filled with tumultuous pangs of despair. Madness was not far off, or rather madness was already come.” There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood - Truth in History

He then wrote this verse:

     There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins;
 And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
 Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains;
 And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.

     The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day;
 And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.
 Washed all my sins away, washed all my sins away;
 And there have I, though vile as he, washed all my sins away.

     Dear dying Lamb, Thy precious blood shall never lose its power
 Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more. 
Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more;
 Till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.

     E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, 
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
 And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die;
 Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.

Cowper, because of his bouts with depression, kept the theme of ‘redeeming love’ at the center of his heart and life. “To E’er since, by faith, I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, 
Redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.” He could not, would not take His eyes off the Savior who died for him. This was his only true hope.

For all who know depression as an experience, this is our only true hope. It must remain our theme. However, even those who are emotionally ‘tough’ must keep it their theme too, and not rely on the flesh. The grace of our Lord will also not only heal us emotionally, it will grant us gospel obedience.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins." Romans 3:23-25

"Whatever your heart clings to..."

"Whatever your heart clings to and confides in, that is really your God." Martin Luther

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess." Martin Luther

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24

Oct. 20th, Worship

 Abundant Life Church

Pastor Koiwai

Have this mind among yourselves, 

which is yours in Christ Jesus, 

who, though he was in the form of God, 

did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 

made himself nothing, 

taking the form of a servant, 

being born in the likeness of men. 

And being found in human form, 

he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death,

even death on a cross. 

Philippians 2:5-8

"So, Jesus, this is me, just checking in today."

A Minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar to see who came to pray. Just then the back door opened, and a man came down the aisle. The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was torn and shabby, and his coat was worn and frayed. The man knelt down and bowed his head, then rose and walked away. In the days that followed at precisely noon, the preacher saw this chap. Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap.

   

Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, He decided to stop and ask the man, 'What are you doing here?' The old man said he was a factory worker and lunch was half an hour and lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. I stay only a moment, because the factory's far away. As I kneel here talking to the Lord, This is kinda what I say: 'I just came by to tell you, Lord, how happy I have been, since we found each others friendship and you took away my sin. I don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is Ben, just checking in today.' The minister feeling foolish, told Ben that it was fine. He told the man that he was welcome to pray there anytime.

   

'It's time to go, and thanks,' Ben said as he hurried to the door. Then the minister knelt there at the altar, which he'd never done before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, as he met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed down his cheeks, he repeated old Ben's prayer: 'I just came by to tell you, Lord, how happy I've been, since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin. I don't know much of how to pray, but I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is me, just checking in today.'

   

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Ben hadn't come. As more days passed and still no Ben, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill. The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Ben was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles and joy contagious. Changed people were his reward.

   

The head nurse couldn't understand why Ben could be so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had. The minister stayed by his bed. He voiced the nurse's concern: No friends had come to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Ben spoke up and with a winsome smile; 'The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, he's been here all the while.' Every day at noon he comes here, a dear friend of mine. You see, he sits right down and takes my hand, leans over and says to me: 'I just came by to tell you, Ben, how happy I have been, since we found this friendship, and I took away your sin. I think about you always and I love to hear you pray, and so Ben, this is Jesus, just checking in today.'

'A to Z'

"The gospel of grace is not just the 'AB-Cs of our faith' but the gospel is the 'A to Z' of our faith." Tim Keller

'For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,  as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."' Romans 1:16-17

The more you see your own flaws....

"The more you see your own flaws and sins, the more precious, electrifying, and amazing God's grace appears to you. But on the other hand, the more aware you are of God's grace and acecptance in Christ, the more able you are to drop your denials and self-defenses and admit the true dimensions and character of your sin. This also creates a new dynamic for discipline and obedience. First, the knowledge of our acceptance in Christ makes it easier to admit we are flawed because we know we won't be cast off if we confess the true depths of our sinfulness. Second, it makes the law of God a thing of beauty instead of burden. We can use it to delight and imitate the one who has saved us rather than to get his attention or procure his favor. We now run the race 'for the joy that is set before us' rather than 'for fear that comes behind us.' " Timothy Keller

"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!'"  Luke 18:13

Neighborhood

View from our balcony

Oct. 12 -13, Family Camp

With Azumino Family Chapel

 and some form Abundant Life Church

At NORTHSTAR Alpine Lodge

Lots of kids....

The Three Amigos~ Bros. David, Dan and Jon.

 Talent show with Jo-san and others.

Worship, including Seth and his baby.

Berami

Berami - Japanese Folk Dolls

in Matsumoto

 The Mimuras have been friends for over 50 years.

In Christ alone....

In Christ alone my hope is found,

He is my light, my strength, my song;

this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,

firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My Comforter, my All in All,

here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh

Fulness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness

Scorned by the ones he came to save:

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied -

For every sin on Him was laid;

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain:

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave he rose again!

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,

For I am His and He is mine -

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,

This is the power of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath.

Jesus commands my destiny.

No power of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home,

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Listen: Gettymusic - Online music resources for the church

Preparing for earthquakes...

Mr. Momose is helping the Abundant Life Church prepare for earthquakes. Gratis! Thanks!

This area is known for earthquakes.

We must go back again and again to the gospel of Christ-crucified

“At the root of all our disobedience are particular ways in which we continue to seek control of our lives through systems of works-righteousness. The way to progress as a Christian is to continually repent and uproot these systems the same way we become Christians, namely by the vivid depiction (and re-depiction) of Christ’s saving work for us, and the abandoning of self-trusting efforts to complete ourselves. We must go back again and again to the gospel of Christ-crucified, so that our hearts are more deeply gripped by the reality of what he did and who we are in him.” Timothy Keller

"For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18

Keller's Free Sermon Resource | Redeemer Sermons

God's Word in Two Words

"A high view of the law produces a high view of grace. A low view of the law produces a low view of grace. God's good law reveals our desperation; God's good gospel reveals our deliverer....The overwhelming focus of the Bible is not the work of the redeemed but the work of the Redeemer."  Tullian Tchividjian

Read the whole article: God's Word in Two Words | Christianity 

"Cheap law weakens God's demand for perfection, and in doing so, breathes life into the old creature and his quest for a righteousness of his own making. . . . Cheap law tells us that we've fallen, but there's good news, you can get back up again. . . . Therein lies the great heresy of cheap law: it is a false gospel. And it cheapens—no—it nullifies grace." John Dink

"Sin is not canceled by lawful living, for no person is able to live up to the Law. Nothing can take away sin except the grace of God." Martin Luther

"A low view of the law always produces legalism; a high view of the law makes a person a seeker after grace." Gresham Machen

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 10:4

Gospel in action... again yesterday

Seminar speaker Mr. Jinnai

At Azumino Family Chapel

Discussion groups

'If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.' 1 John 4:20

Charity Concert... yesterday

At Toyoshina Modern Art Museum

Busts of Japanese Christian leaders of the past. 

Kanzo Uchimura & Inazo Nitobe

Mr. Jinnai spoke of the great needs in Africa.

the Music

 "It is more blessed to give than to recieve."

People are prepared for everything except....

“People are prepared for everything except for the fact that beyond the darkness of their blindness there is a great light. They are prepared to go on breaking their backs plowing the same old field until the cows come home without seeing, until they stub their toes on it, that there is a treasure buried in that field rich enough to buy Texas. They are prepared for a God who strikes hard bargains but not for a God who gives as much for an hour’s work as for a day’s. They are prepared for a mustard-seed kingdom of God no bigger than the eye of a newt but not for the great banyan it becomes with birds in its branches singing Mozart. They are prepared for the potluck supper at First Presbyterian but not for the marriage supper of the lamb.” 

Frederick Buechner

”Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21