2016.11.27 礼拝

2016.11.27 礼拝

201.11.28 Ephesians 1:15-20 [“Legacy” as seen in the Bible]

Passage of November: 1 Corinthians 3:10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

Paul was a good builder and laid the foundation (cornerstone – Jesus Christ). We are called to hold a vision

as to how we build on the foundation.

The early Christians in Japan went through persecutions. To them it would appear to be a dream and great happiness that we can worship God quite safely at church without a fuss. To the present generation, being able to go to church easily at almost any time seems natural.

However, we must realize how much the past Christians have worked to leave the Word and Bible to us.

We, on the other hand, should be aware of how we can leave them onward.

➀ Knowing the value of the Legacy of the saints.

Ephesians 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

It is our obligation to remember the work and process the disciples and early Christians have gone through to leave us the legacy.

Paul prayed:

・[that eyes of your heart may be enlightened]

Are we not taking the “salvation” for granted? Do we really appreciate that our sins have been forgiven? Paul prays that we understand what joy and blessing it is to have our sins forgiven because of the sacrifice Jesus made.

Do we take it for granted that we can come to church every Sunday and is always there without any efforts on our part? Do we know that the blessings we have of getting married, having children and family are from our faith in Jesus and God?

・for [The hope to which God has called you]

Has it become our happiness that we are chosen by God for a mission and purpose?　

Are we aware the God has called us and not the other way around and have been given a purpose to live with a mission from God. Do we appreciate the blessings we have are due to other Christians (and parents in a Christian family) who have interceded on our behalf.

・for [The riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints]

Ephesians 5:27 So that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

What we have inherited from the past disciples/Christians is that we are a church pure in every way and worthy to be called the bride of Jesus.

What have been passed on to us are results of the hard work, persecutions, missions our ancestors went through and the faith they had in Jesus.

When we realize the value of what we have inherited, then it would be natural to take good care of it.

When we find the great joy of love in Jesus and the Word, we need to seriously consider how we can leave the same legacy to our children.