Sermons - Central Baptist Church, Okinawa

Sun, 30th Aug 09 by admin

John 15:8-17

Last week, we saw that Jesus used the image of a vine and its branches
to illustrate the relationship that exists between him and his
followers, and we saw that this life-giving union between vine and
branch would surely result in fruit being produced in the life of the
believer. In these verses, we will see some of the fruit that will
result.

Because of their relationship with Christ, believers will have love,
joy, obedience, and will bear witness to others. The love that God the
Father has for the Son is infinite and eternal, and it is this same
sort of love that Jesus has for all of his followers. As believers
remain in Christ’s love for them, they will surely love each other
with the same sort of devotion. This love will be self-giving, and
not self-seeking. The joy that comes from Christ is one that endures
even in difficult circumstances, and comes from being accepted by God.
Furthermore, Christians will desire to obey Christ. This obedience
is not the simple obedience of a slave, but the joyful obedience of a
son who knows that his Father loves him and desires the best for him.
Christians will also desire to make the glory of Christ known in the
world by telling others what he has done.

Sun, 16th Aug 09 by admin

John 14:25-31

It can be difficult to have real peace when everything around you
seems to be falling apart. In this passage, Jesus promises his
disciples that they will have peace during the most difficult
circumstances. We are assured that God will take care of his people
and that he will one day deliver them from all of life’s troubles. He
has a good plan for each of us.

Rather than being upset about Jesus’ immanent departure, the disciples
should be happy for him. He was going to a better place, a greater
place. He had descended from glory to be with them, but he would soon
return to heaven. The disciples grief over their own situation was a
mirror of their own self-centeredness, and only served to heighten
their anxiety.

Soon, Satan would strike a terrible blow against Jesus on the cross.
However, this blow was not sufficient to cause Jesus to fall forever.
Jesus had no sin in his life, and so Satan had no hold over him. The
same blow that Satan struck against Jesus would end up killing Satan.
Through the cross, Satan and death would be fully and finally defeated
forever.

Sun, 9th Aug 09 by Regin

Romans 6

The Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers to make them more and
more like Jesus Christ. During this life, he “sanctifies” us, which
simply means that he makes us more holy day by day. Romans chapter
six explains a great deal about our sanctification.

Grace is emphasized so much in the first five chapters of Romans that
some people might begin to think that God is most glorified when we
sin. Paul says that this sort of thinking is just silly, and is
contrary to the nature of salvation.

The Christian believer is deeply united with Christ. When Christ
died, he paid for the sins of believers completely, such that sin has
no claims on Christians. Likewise, as Christ rose again, his victory
over death and sin assures believers that they also will have victory.
To go on sinning is to deny what Christ has done in our behalf.

Prior to being a Christian, you were subject to the power of sin. It
was like a great king that ruled over you (6:12), a general that used
you in his wicked war (6:13), or like a slavemaster who held you in
chains. Through Christ, you have been freed from the power of sin,
and through him, you are able to reject sin during this lifetime.

Sun, 2nd Aug 09 by admin

Ephesians 4:1-16

The Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers in order to change
them to be more and more like Christ. As a part of this change, the
Holy Spirit helps us to be unified with each other such that the
church can be a blessing to the world.

Right after Jesus ascended into heaven, he asked the Father to send
the Holy Spirit to be with believers in a special way. Because of the
presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, the Church is
built up in its knowledge of Christ.

Part of the benefits that believers receive from the Holy Spirit is a
gifting to do good works to help other people. Every believer has
such a gift. When believers use the gifts that God gave them for
God’s purposes, the Church is strengthened and the world is changed.

John 15:8-17

John 14:25-31

Romans 6

Ephesians 4:1-16

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