Hymn: To God Be the Glory Bible Passage: Psalm 126: 2-3 (Good News Bible) 2 How we laughed, how we sang for joy! Then the other nations said about us, “The Lord did great things for them.” 3 Indeed he did great things for us; how happy we were! Introduction: I'm so very glad to see all of you here today at our weekly Hokusei English Chapel time. What a joy it is to be back here on campus for this new school year. I'm enjoying reconnecting with many of my friends and seeing many new faces as well. And… I really enjoyed singing that beautiful hymn together. Thanks so much for giving that hymn your best shot today! As many of you know, I like music so very much. I also enjoy taking the words of our hymns and writing my messages from them. And that's what I've done today. The hymn we just sang is an old Fanny Crosby number called "To God Be the Glory." God inspired me to ask a question that comes from that song. What great things has God done for you? 1. He planned you! Let's begin by going straight to God's Word and see what we can find. In Ephesians 1:4 it says, "Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ." (New Living Translation) Isn't that truly remarkable? Before God began creating this universe, He already had you in mind! God was thinking and planning for your future. He knows everything about you and He loves you. If you believe and trust Jesus Christ, then you are chosen by God! You are then part of God's plan that He made ages and ages ago. What wonderful news that is! 2. He made you! Yes, that's right - God made each of us. Now, we usually think that mom & dad got together and made us. I know part of me looks very much like my mother (raise hand to show my height). And part of me definitely looks like my dad (brush my hairline)! But the Bible tells us differently. Psalm 139:13 says, "You created every part of me; you put me together in my mother's womb." Isn't that a great thing God has done? By His Own Power, He lovingly took your parents DNA and creatively put them together to make… YOU! 3. He died for you! You know, Easter was just 3 weeks ago. It's one of the 2 most important holidays for us Christians. It's the day that Jesus came back to life again. On the Friday before, Jesus died on the cross to pay for our sins. So... let me ask a simple question, "Why did He do this?" And the answer comes clearly from God's Word, from John 3:16 - "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life." (Good News Bible) What a truly great thing He did for us. He loved us so much, He left heaven to come, live and die for us! 4. And now, He invites you! When I was a kid, at the end of the day as the sun was going down, my mom would call to me, "Don, it's time to come home!" Home. For many of us, home is the sweetest, dearest place in the world. I know that's especially true for me. I just moved into a condominium that I bought at the beginning of this year. I love my new home. It's the most comfortable place on this earth to me. But this world is not our true home, if we believe in Christ. The Bible says in Philippians 3:20, "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus lives." (New Living Translation) Conclusion: And this idea brings me to the end of my time with you today. Let me ask you again - what great things has God done for you? He planned you. He made you. He himself died for you. And now… He invites to share His home for all of eternity. The songwriter, Albert Brumley, from the state of Arkansas in the U.S., wrote a very inspirational Christian song entitled, "This World Is Not My Home." Jim, you're from that state. I bet you know this song, don't you? "This world is not my home. I'm just a passing thro'. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angles beckon me from heaven's open door. And I can't feel at home in this world anymore." God has done so much for you and me - from eternity past - all the way to the present. If you are here today and believe in Jesus Christ, then this is a time to rejoice and thank God for all the wonderful things He has done for you. But maybe you're not really sure about God today. Maybe you're thinking, "Does God really exist? Does He really think about my little life and does He really care for me?" And my answer is a resounding "Yes!" I hope you too will see all the wonderful things that God has been doing - and trust Him too. (^v^) Closing Prayer: Dear loving Heavenly Father, I'm so thankful to you for all the many things you do for us everyday. You planned all this creation, including us. You loved us so much that you came and died for us. You joyfully walk with us and guide us throughout our lives. And then you promise to make a very special home for us that is so fantastic that we can't even imagine what it will be like. God, help us to always remember the great things you do for us. Help us to believe in you more faithfully. And by Your Love, help us follow you better and closer - everyday. I pray all these things now, in Jesus' precious name, Amen. Thanks so much for coming and joining us at English chapel today. God be with you and bless you richly in all that you do today!
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About This PageThis is my personal space to share my messages and thoughts about Hokusei English Chapel and the things that God brings in to my life. Archives
October 2015
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