Minemachi Christ Church Message English

Sunday, July 20, 2025 “Abraham’s Preparation for the End of His Life” Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki 1. Reconcile – with the past * Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV) 2. Live in faith – in the present * Planning for the end of your life (1) Clean up unwanted items in your home (2) Tell others computer and other passwords (3) Write final notes 3. Have hope – for the future * John 14:6 “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (NIV) Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. How much progress preparing for the end of your life have you made regarding the past, present, and future? MCC20250720.mp3

Sunday, July 13, 2025 “Maji from the East: To meet Jesus Christ to Satisfy Your Thirst” Pastor Joey Anjiki 1. Turn your eyes upward * Magi from the east = Not three people * Matthew 2:2 (See above) * Prophesy of the birth of the Savior and the appearance of a star * Numbers 24:17 “… A star will come out of Jacob…” (NIV) * Many people try to satisfy their thirst with things they can see * “This is Water” by David Foster Wallace, and American writer * “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator.” Blaise Pascal 2. Turn your eyes to the Gospel * Why where the Maji of the east, who were gentiles, able to know about the prophecies of the Old Testament? * Daniel and Babylon * “The plan to restore the relationship between God and man” written in the Bible * Sin separated the relationship of people with God, and people began to feel thirsty 3. The salvation of the cross * Matthew 2:11 “…Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” (NIV) * Each of the gifts was a symbol of what would occur in the life of Jesus * The salvation of the cross * The testimony of Justin Bieber, a Canadian singer * John 4:14 “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (NIV) Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. Prior to meeting God, what did you try to satisfy your thirst with? 2. Share about your experience accepting the salvation of the cross, having your relationship with God restored, and your thirst satisfied. MCC20250713.mp3

Sunday, July 6, 2025 “The Virgin Birth: The Faith of Mary and Joseph Who Excepted It” Pastor Joey Anjiki 1. The meaning of the virgin birth * Matthew 1:18 Mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they became one, they found out that Mary had become pregnant through the Holy Spirit * According to the law, Joseph had two choices. (Deuteronomy 22:23-27 & 24:1) * Why was it necessary that Jesus Christ was born through the Holy Spirit? - Sacrifices in the Old Testament times - Passing sins on to animals → Animals bearing the sin had to be “those without defects or blemishes” * It is because Jesus Christ was born sinless that he was able to bear the sin of all humanity on the cross, die, be resurrected on the third day, and complete the means for salvation. 2. The faith of Mary who accepted the virgin birth * Luke 1:38 “‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.’ Then the angel left her.” (NIV) * Dr. Paul Brandt, who served as a missionary doing medical work in India for many years 3. The faith of Joseph who accepted the virgin birth * Thereafter, two different images of Joseph spread (1) The image of a foolish person (2) The image of a loving person who protected young children and people who didn’t have anyone to protect them * The image of father Jospeh overlays with the course of his son, Jesus Christ Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. Why was it necessary that Jesus Christ was born through the Holy Spirit? 2. What can you learn from the faith of Mary and Joseph? MCC20250706.mp3

Sunday, June 29, 2025 “There is Hope for a Tree” Pastor Kenichi Osumi 1. Death is not the end * There is a world after death * Colton Burpo “Heaven is for Real” * Romans 4:17 (See above) 2. There is hope for a tree * Romans 4:19 (See above) * Job’s hope * Job 14:14 (See above) * Job 14:7 (See above) * Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (NIV) Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. Do you think there is a “world after death?” 2. Why is there hope for even a seemingly dead tree stump? MCC20250629.mp3

ealogical Grace: The Savior Was Born for You” Pastor Joey Anjiki * Why is there genealogy at the start of Matthew? 1. A portrait of Matthew and the historical background * He was one of Jesus Christ’s 12 disciples * The book of Matthew was written in the period between 50 and 70 AD * Why did Matthew become a tax collector? 2. Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of prophecy * Matthew 1:1 “the son of Abraham” = An ancestor of the Israelites around 2000 BC * Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (NIV) * Matthew 1:1 “the son of David” = The king of Israel around 1000 BC * 2 Samuel 7:12 “When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom.” (NIV) * Matthew 1:1 “the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah” * The excitement of actually being able to see something that has been long-awaited (ex. Black hole) 3. The purpose of Jesus coming: The salvation of the cross * 4 women mentioned in the genealogy Genesis 1:3 Tamar, 1:5 Rahab, 1:5 Ruth, 1:6 Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba) All of the women were gentiles (foreigners) and 3 of the 4 of them were directly involved in sexual sin * The message Matthew included here * Movie from 1995: “Deadman Walking” Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. Try to imagine the excitement of the Israelites who saw the long-awaited savior. 2. What is the reason Matthew included the 4 women in the genealogy? 3. What kind of person is Jesus Christ to you? MCC20250622.mp3

Sunday, June 15, 2025 “Marriage That Obtains God’s Comfort” Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki 1. Abraham’s loyal servant 2. Rebekah’s decision of faith * “No matter how much you hear about something, you can’t tell unless you actually look at it No matter how much you look at something, you can’t tell unless you actually think about it No matter how much you think about something, you can’t tell unless you actually act on it” 3. Isaac’s obtaining of comfort * Genesis 24:67 “comforted” = saved, freed Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. In the events that took place leading up to Isaac and Rebekah’s marriage, who played which roles? 2. What do you think is a marriage blessed by God? MCC20250615.mp3

Sunday, June 8, 2025 “David’s Last Days: How to Build a Happy Home” Pastor Joey Anjiki 1. Broken marital relationship * 2 Samuel 3:2-5 “Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon the son of Ahinoam of Jezreel; his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; and the sixth, Ithream the son of David’s wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.” (NIV) * 1 Chronicles 3:9 “All these were the sons of David, besides his sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister.” (NIV) * Genesis 2:24 “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” (NIV) * Why did God tolerate polygamy in this era? * The blessing of marriage 2. Broken relationship with children * Amnon, Tamar, Absalom, Adonijah * Why couldn't David face his children? (1) He himself wasn’t raised in a happy home (2) He was so busy he couldn’t spend time thinking about his family (3) A sense of guilt was holding him back from facing his family * The blessing of child rearing * True story of a family at an airport Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. What did you learn from David’s marriages? 2. What did you learn from David’s child rearing? 3. Please pray for your family, spouse, and children. MCC20250608.mp3

Sunday, June 1, 2025 “A Joyful Life Even Amidst Trials” Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki 1. Welcome the Holy Spirit and enjoy that fellowship 2. Accept trials without fear * Luke 4:1 “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.” (NIV) 3. Trials bring along blessings * 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV) * Romans 5:3-4 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” (NIV) * “Road of the Tinkling Bell” by Tomihiro Hoshino Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. What attitude should we have toward trials? 2. What “trials” have brought about good in your life? MCC20250601.mp3

Sunday, May 25, 2025 “The Essence of Missions” Missionary Kenichi Shibusawa 1. The center of missions is not “oneself,” but “Christ” * If you share the Gospel and are rejected, it is not you who were rejected, but “Christ.” * The example of “when telling about a wonderful ramen shop” 2. The center of the Gospel is not the “cross,” but the living and working “Christ” * What to focus on is not the historical event, but “Christ” who is still with us today * The story of “The gift of the wise person” 3. The purpose of the Gospel is not a “ticket to Heaven,” but a “relationship with the living God” * “Eternal life” is not so much a privilege as to “go to heaven,” as to have “fellowship with God.” * “Faith life” is “a response to “God’s love” that is flowing today.” * “Missions” are “to invite as many people as possible into this ‘wonderful relationship with God.’” Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. If you feel “embarrassed to tell others about Christ,” what is the cause? 2. How real to you is Christ? Do you seriously “desire to share Christ with others no matter what?” MCC20250525.mp3

Sunday, May 18, 2025 “The End of Absolom: The Good News & Bad News” Pastor Joey Anjiki 1. The fate of those who walk without believing in God * 2 Samuel 18:9 (See above) * The original word for sin: “hamartia” (in Greek) = “to miss the mark” * Does religion cause war? The cause of 1,763 wars that have occurred in history Wars classified as having been caused by religion were a total of 123 (6.98%) Of those, if the wars related to Islam are removed, that leaves 57, which is 3.23% of the total * What is the source of conflict? Human sin. * Isaiah 59:1-2 “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” (NIV) 2. Good news and bad news * The inability of Ahimaaz, one of David’s men, to tell David the good news (victory) and bad news (Absolom’s death) * The good news and bad news regarding the gospel * The testimony of Martin Marty’s wife 3. Salvation for loved ones * 2 Samuel 18:33 “The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: ‘O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!’” (NIV) * Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (NIV) Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. Do you have the same sin nature as Absolom did? 2. What is the good news and bad news regarding the gospel? Why is it important to tell both aspects? 3. Who do you want to tell of the salvation of the cross? Please pray for that person. MCC20250518.mp3

Sunday, May 11, 2025 “Abraham’s Faithful Servant” Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki 1. The covenant between Abraham and his servant (1) He had to find a wife for Isaac amongst the daughters of the Canaanites presently living there (2) He was to go to his own family and select from amongst them 2. The servant’s trip and prayer * Genesis 24:10 “Aram Naharaim” = the Hebrew name for “Mesopotamia” * Genesis 24:26, 48, 52 “bowed down” (“Barah” in Hebrew) (1) People bow down to God (2) God blesses people 3. Rebekah comes on the scene * Hebrews 1:14 “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (NIV) Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. What advice would you give to people who are planning to get married? Why? 2. What relationship do angels have with us Christians? MCC20250511.mp3

Sunday, May 4, 2025 “Absolom’s Rebellion: What Separates Us from God” Pastor Joey Anjiki 1. The beauty of outward appearance * 2 Samuel 14:25-26 “In all Israel there was not a man so highly praised for his handsome appearance as Absalom. From the top of his head to the sole of his foot there was no blemish in him. Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard.” (NIV) * The impact of placing value on appearance for believers 2. The temptation of wealth * 2 Samuel 15:1 (See above) * The impact of placing value on wealth for believers * A story from the life of composer Handel 3. Intentionally deceptive teaching * 2 Samuel 15:6 (See above) * False teachings of the present day that are intentionally deceptive * 2 Corinthians 2:17 “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.” (NIV) Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. What are the three things that try to separate us from God that we can learn from Absalom? 2. How should we deal with the values of others? MCC20250504.mp3

Sunday, April 27, 2025 “The Fact and Hope of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ” Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki 1. The fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ * The hypothesis of the “empty tomb” (1) The hypothesis of the “wrong tomb” (2) The hypothesis of “hallucination” (3) The hypothesis of “fainting” (4) The hypothesis of “theft” * “Who Moved the Stone” by Frank Morison 2. The hope of the resurrection of believers * 1 Corinthians 15:20 “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (NIV) * Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” (NIV) * John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” (NIV) Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. Why can it be said that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a historical fact? 2. What kind of hope does the resurrection of Jesus Christ give to believers in Jesus Christ? MCC20250427.mp3

Sunday, April 20, 2025 “Hope Beyond Death” Pastor Joey Anjiki 1. Human sin * Men’s 50-meter shooting event at the 2004 Athens Olympics * “Sin” in Greek is “amartia” = “to miss the mark” * Mark 7:21-23 “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” (NIV) 2. Salvation * 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” (NIV) * Northwest Airlines flight 225 plane crash on August 16, 1987 * John 11:25 (See above) 3. Death is not the end, but the beginning * A story about a florist in New York Thoughts to share at mini church: 1. What kind of thing is Biblical sin? 2. Why did Jesus take your sin upon himself on the cross? 3. How can a person be saved? 4. Are there people in Heaven who are waiting to see you again? MCC20250420.mp3