Worship Song: As the Deer Bible Passage: Luke 12:16-21 16 Then Jesus told them this parable: “There was once a rich man who had land which bore good crops. 17 He began to think to himself, ‘I haven't anywhere to keep all my crops. What can I do? 18 This is what I will do,’ he told himself; ‘I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, where I will store my corn and all my other goods. 19 Then I will say to myself, Lucky man! You have all the good things you need for many years. Take life easy, eat, drink, and enjoy yourself!’ 20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night you will have to give up your life; then who will get all these things you have kept for yourself?’” 21 And Jesus concluded, “This is how it is with those who pile up riches for themselves but are not rich in God's sight.” (GNB) 16 そこで、たとえ話を一つなさいました。「ある金持ちが、良い作物のとれる肥えた畑を持っていました。 17 倉はいっぱいで、収穫物を全部納めきれないほどです。あれこれ考えたあげく、うまいことを思いつきました。 18 『こうすりゃいいんだ。あの倉を取りこわして、もっと大きいのを建てる。 そうすりゃあ、作物を全部納められるさ。』 19 ひとり悦に入った金持ちは、ふんぞり返って、われとわが身に言い聞かせたものです。『もう何も心配はいらないぞ。これから先何年分もの食料がたっぷりあるんだ。のんびり、楽しくやろう。さあ、酒だ、女だ、歌だっ!』 20 しかし神は、こう言われました。『愚か者よ! あなたのいのちは、今夜にもなくなるのです。そうしたら、ここにある物は、いったいだれのものになるのですか。』 21 いいですか。この地上でいくらお金をため込んでも、天国に財産を持っていない者はみな、愚か者なのです。」(JLB) Introduction: Good morning my friends and welcome to this week's English chapel time here at Hokusei University. For those of you that don't know me, my name is Don Frank and I'm a part-time English and Bible teacher here at Hokusei Junior College. And it's my very great joy to be able to talk with you today. The theme of my message today is something that I've been dealing with a lot in my own life recently, so I thought it would be a good idea to share it with you today. 1. The Hole in Our Souls - You know, we humans are looking and looking everyday for things to satisfy us. And there's a reason for this. I believe that we humans are born with an empty space in hearts. I like to call it a hole in our souls! And we search everyday for things to satisfy us - to fill that hole. A. We try so many things, don't we? Time. We try to fill every minute of every day. In this fast-paced society, we keep our eyes on the clock always! People. We try filling our lives with family and friends. We write messages to them. We share our feelings with them. We spend time with them. Money. Just like the story Jesus taught us in our Bible passage today, we try like the rich man to get more and more money. Activities. We are constantly moving to do more and more things. When we finish our work, we focus on our hobbies - club activities, family activities, personal and private activities! Things. This is indeed a trap, isn't it? Maybe we collect money only to spend it on buying more things! We want the newest smart phone, the best clothes, the most delicious food and the newest, trendiest goods! B. This semester in English Bible class, I'll be teaching about the greatest, wisest man in all history, King Solomon. You know, he did an experiment in his life. He was so rich that he decided to try everything in life. The Bible says, "I determined that I would examine and study all the things that are done in this world... I learned all knowledge… I enjoyed myself and became happy… I drank wine and had a good time… I built houses and planted gardens… I owned many slaves and animals… I piled up silver and gold… I had all the women a man could want (The Bible tells us that he had 700 wives and 300 lovers!)… Anything I wanted, I got. I did not deny myself any pleasure. I was proud of everything I had worked for, and all this was my reward. Then I thought about all that I had done and how hard I had worked doing it, and I realized that it didn't mean a thing. It was like chasing the wind — of no use at all. (Ecclesiastes 1 & 2, GNB) 2. God Has the Piece! - Could you understand what Solomon was saying? He tried everything! And still he said he was not satisfied! But God has what you are searching for. He already designed a piece to fit that hole in your soul perfectly! A. And what is that piece, you might ask. Of course, it's the cross of Jesus Christ! God loved you and I so very much that he sent his only son to die on the cross for us. In the Bible, Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, GNB) He also said, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." (John 7:37-38, NIV) More than anything else, Jesus really wants to satisfy us. He promises to give us rest and satisfaction always! B. Now Christian, you're probably wondering about yourself. What about me? Yes, I believe in Jesus, but I'm still not satisfied. I'm still looking for something. Can you help me? So, let me tell you what Paul's advice was. He shares with us the secret of being satisfied. "And I am not saying this because I feel neglected, for I have learned to be satisfied with what I have. I know what it is to be in need and what it is to have more than enough. I have learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me." (Philippians 4:11-13, GNB) That's it! If we keep our eyes on Jesus Christ always, he will give us the satisfaction that we need. I have the strength to face all conditions. How? By the power that Christ gives me! Conclusion: Are you here today and you feel empty inside? Do you feel like somehow you lost your way? The answer is the same for both the believer and the non-believer! Jesus Christ! He wants to show you the way to His cross. And from that day forward, he will always be with you, guiding you every step of the way! You can find in him everything that will satisfy you completely, both now and every day in the future! Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, I want to thank you for this wonderful time that we can worship you and learn about you together today. Please be with everyone here in our chapel and at our university. Help us to find you as the answer to all of the needs we have in our lives. Dear Jesus, please help us always to look at the cross to find true satisfaction in our lives. From now on, please walk with us every step of the way of life, helping us to find the answers for all of our questions and satisfying as completely as our Savior and our Best Friend. And I ask all these things now in your precious name, Amen. ✞ ✞ ✞ ✞
God bless you today as you go from our chapel time and may He satisfy you completely, deep inside your heart.
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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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