2016.12.18 礼拝

誰でも気軽に集える、明るく、カジュアルな雰囲気の教会です。

2016.12.18 礼拝

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2016.12.18 3 Colossians 3:12-15 Taste the blessings of the church

Paul’s letters to the churches are encouragements and joy. Encouragement not only to study the Bible alone but to come together as family of Christ.

Application of Bible should not be to satisfy our lifestyle but should imagine what image Paul had of churches during his period.

Colossians 3:12-15 12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

Compassion for yourself? No, but a relationship of compassion with one another rather than indifference towards each other.

Church is not a place to seek satisfaction of individual’s faith nor needs but to help each other to grow in faith.

➀ Imagine a church/family putting today’s Bible verses into practice.

➢ Study of words and phrases in the Bible is important. However, no matter how long we study, we cannot build a church/family that satisfies the will of God.

➢ Imagine specifically what your significant role, action and responsibilities are when the vision is realized.

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

If we practice what Paul wrote, then we will realize how wonderful a church is filled with love and forgiveness. It may look like an ideal life, however, if we stop there it remains ideal. If we were to compromise and give up, we would be inexcusable for what Jesus went through on the cross.

➁ Believe and seriously take part in realizing the vision of church/family.

➢ There could be Christians who talk about an ideal but do not believe nor seriously take part in realizing it.

➢ There could be some who do not look into their own problems but force ideas on others.

Therefore, we should have faith that the vision Jesus laid out for the church and family can be truly realized instead of giving up the efforts to build an “ideal” church. We should believe that we can have compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

It is ideal that Christian be like Christ and we wish each one of us would be so.

At the same time, we should be careful not to judge others not being Christ-like disregarding our own state of growth. It is possible that we worry about other people, but first we must look back on ourselves and remember that none of us are perfect.

➂ Imagine how a problem can be solved.

➢ Understand the limit of your compassion and kindness.

➢ The true value of “forgiveness” is tested when a problem occurs.

Colossians 3;13 13 with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

When everything is going well, we are not aware of the limit of compassion and kindness. We realize our shortcomings and our faith is tested when we are faced with problems. Problems are bound to occur.

We are imperfect and sinful, but Jesus had been patiently waiting for us and gave up his life to forgive our sins. Likewise, Jesus calls us to be kind and forgive one another.


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