21/09/2025
Today we had the blessing of a live Japanese translation.
Interim Pastor Steve's sermon was titled:
"A Recipe for Revival"
2 Chronicles 7:14
[14] "if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
This is addressing God's people so even though it was written in Old Testament times we can learn from is and apply it today.
A. My people must humble themselves. This may be the hardest step. Luke 14:11 says "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." We are so prideful. We are proud of our jobs and our opinions and how we live our lives and belongings. During the First Great Awakening in America John Wesley understood that humility came first. He said "Sink my, O God, to perfectionism height." During the Second Great Awakening a traveling tent preacher would draw a big circle on the ground and challenge the audience to humble themselves, step up into the circle and pray.
B. My people must pray. When I pray, I am saying that I cannot make it on my own. There is no substitute for prayer. Good works or showing up for church on Sundays doesn't replace prayer. There is nothing more important in your spiritual life. If Jesus needed to pray, we do too. If we would only pray 10 minutes a day, it would change our lives and the church. It seems like it's not enough, but I bet if I challenged the congregation how much you actually pray every day many would fail the test. There are 1,440 minutes in a day, we can spend at least 10 in prayer.
C. My people must seek my face. Know God. God's plan is to bless us if we seek him. Jer. 29:11-13
D. My people must turn from their wicked ways.
If we are Christians we should not be walking in sin. But for a Christian there are many little sins every day. It doesn't matter if it's a big sin or a small one it separates us from God, it makes us sinners. James 4:7 says "To him that knows to do good and doesn't do it, to him it is sin." If I cherish sin in my heart, the Lord won't hear me. Psalm 66:18
If we follow this recipe we can trust God to act as he's promised "I will hear from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land."
It is not up to the 99% of non-Christians in Japan. It is up to God's people to do these things. He called us to, and we can see God work in a big way if we are faithful.
Thank you, Pastor Steve, for the sermon.
Please join us this Wednesday for prayer at 6:30, Men's Prayer Breakfast at 8 on Saturday, and next week's Sunday class and service at 9:45 and 11. We will have a potluck next Sunday after service.
