2015.8.9 礼拝

2015.8.9 礼拝

2015.8.9 John 6:25-33 “Have a Correct View of the World”
Today is a memorial day of Nagasaki when the atomic bomb was dropped. Mostly every church would be praying that there would be peace without war. However, it is difficult to find peace. To realize world peace, each of us should seek peace. The opposite of “peace” is not “war” but “discord” and also “insecurity” (in Japanese).

The message today is focused on John 6:33.
To cope with stress – according to the Internet there are two ways to cope with stress.

①Put yourself in a stress free environment – when we are stressed, we feel physically and mentally down. The best thing is to avoid being in a position filled with stress. However, there are times when this cannot be avoided.

②Become immune to stress – each one responds differently to different kind of stress. On the other hand, it could be possible to get used to stress.

The secret of acquiring peace
①Put yourself in a worry free environment – Jesus wants us to have peace, yet we live with worries depending on situation and environment. Stress and worry is more-or-less the same. But it seems impossible to put yourself in a worry free environment.

The Bible says, we will be freed from stress.
What would be a stress free world?

Revelation 21:1, 4 – 1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And there was no more sea. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Unfortunately, this is not about today but of the day when we inherit the world in heaven without stress, sorrow or crying.

②Become immune to anxiety
Can we become immune to stress?
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but take courage, I have overcome the world.”

Since Adam and Eve gave in to temptation, we have inherited the corrupted world. We cannot build a perfect world – a paradise – by ourselves. Jesus acknowledges that there is trouble and suffering in this world, but promised us peace.

1. Don’t seek paradise on earth
John 16:33 – “… In the world you have tribulation …”
・Accept the reality before seeking the ideal state – we are encouraged to do something to improve the situation at home, at school, or at work hoping to relieve stress. It does the matter at the moment, however, the solution could be temporary. Basically, the world we live in is filled with worries and difficulties occurring one after the other.

・Selfish idealism ends in a hotbed of disappointment – it is good to have dreams and hopes. It may work out, but at times it could end up in discouragement.
・Perfectionism leads to unhappy life – perfection is almost impossible, since once you have achieved one goal, you tend to desire something else.

2. Live as a winner within difficulties – no need to give up hope.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. …but take courage, I have overcome the world.”

No need to give up hope and live as a loser. Jesus promised that we can live as a winner in this world with stress and hardships. Jesus said he has overcome the world and whoever believes in him will have victory. Our view of this world could change if we believed in Jesus.

3. Love of Christ will make us the winner
John 16:27 – for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that came forth from the Father.

・Parents’ love build confidence in children – children who have received strong love of their parents are confident and could even withstand hardships at schools such as bullying.

・The love of the Father in heaven makes us the winner in the world – the Father in heaven really loves us. If we believed in the love of God then we know that we will eventually be taken into heaven as a winner regardless of our social position, richness or anything. Paul specifically explains this love of God in Romans 8:31-39.
・The love of Christ gives us satisfaction

4. Hold a self-image as a winner
1 John 5-4-5 – 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Why worry about what happens or what other people say about you. Jesus promised that he is with us always and brings us victory. What is needed is to have faith in Jesus Christ no matter what happens.