2015.3.15 礼拝

LC Message-John 14:13-15-“Knowing the Tough love”
Kid’s Message: Soon everyone will be moving up in their grade level. There will be lots of changes.
The Bible says, in John 14:13 – Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If given the chance to have anything you ask for, what would you ask for?
Actually, you have been chosen for great things. You have been chosen by God through Christ. It feels good to be chosen. In Japanese athlete is “選手-senshu” which means chosen person. God has chosen each of us for a great purpose. We are each a part of God’s great plan.
So whenever we come to God for a request we ask things that are in line with what God wants us to do. That’s actually one of the reasons that God answers all of our requests. We are asking what God wants in the first place.
——————————-
Saddleback Church is an example of a successful church plant. It is a “mega-church”. Similar to large stores like WalMart. The pastor is from the same seminary as Shindo and Mark and he was a journeyman in Nagasaki.
He asks a question in his book:
What drives your life?
1. Some driven by guilt.
Many people are driven by guilt. They spend their entire lives running from regrets and hiding their shame. Guilt-driven people are manipulated by memories. (Rich Warren)
Example of the Japanese motorcycle gangs called 暴走組ーbosozoku. Why do they feel a need to irritate people and do what they do? They are not around much anymore but it is still a mystery why they do what they do or did what they did.
Why do we study? Work? Why do we want to make a difference? Why, why, why? Why do we do anything? Answering the question “why” is very important.
2. Some are driven by resentment and anger.
Many people are driven by resentment and anger. They hold on to hurts and never get over them. Instead of releasing their pain through forgiveness, they rehearse it over and over in their minds. (Rick Warren)
3. Some people are driven fear.
Many people are driven by fear. Their fears may be a result of a traumatic experience, unrealistic expectations, growing up in a high-control home, or even genetic predisposition. (Rick Warren)
4. Some driven by materialism.
Many people are driven by materialism. Their desire to acquire becomes the whole goal of their lives. This drive to always want more is based on the misconceptions that having more will make me more happy, more important, and more secure, but all three ideas are untrue. (Rick Warren)
Example of a lady who keeps money close by because she can’t survive without it.
5. Some are driven by the need for approval.
They allow the expectations of parents or spouses or children or teachers or friends to control their lives. Many adults are still trying to earn the approval of unpleasable parents. Others are driven by peer pressure, always worried by what others might think. Unfortunately, those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it. (Rick Warren)
Many might have had such an experience, at school, at work or home.
When we are struggling with the question “why” and struggling, we may be in the place of being given a great chance.
Matthew 5:3-4
“The poor in spirit are blessed,
for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Those who mourn are blessed,
for they will be comforted.
Example of a 40 year old man that Shindo met at the business seminar. He had been abused by his Dad his whole life even as an adult. Finally, he just shut everyone out.
It is not simply enough to know what NOT to do. We also need to know WHAT to do. We need to know how to move forward and not shut down. We need to know the answer as well as knowing what the problem is.
This is where it is so important to know that we are loved and forgiven by God. We are chosen and wanted.
The Love of God becomes the engine of our change. It becomes the heart of moving forward.
Today’s Point:
1. We need to know whether we are being moved by God’s Love or not. Some of us need to know that we are not being motivated and moved by God’s love but some other purpose.
John 14:15 – “If you love Me, you will keep My commands.
Whenever we are motivated by LOVE (Love of the God), the Law is replaced. We go from being motivated by the LAW or other things to being motivated by God’s Love.
2. We need to have an image of what it is to be moved by the Love of Christ.
John 14:14-15 – If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.,
Another Counselor Promised “If you love Me, you will keep My commands.
If you are motivated by God’s Love You will be Successful. Not just successful in the world’s eyes but in even the more important areas.
3. We need to choose a life moved by the Love of Christ.
Romans 8:37 – No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.
Choose where God has led you. Choose to be motivated and moved by God and not all these other things.
God has chosen You so choose Him back.