January 24, 2014

Posted on January 25, 2014 by jgarrott

Acts 10:33 “So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

What an invitation to preach! Anyone receiving such an invitation had better respond in humility rather than pride or presumption, but this is the sort of thing preachers dream about. There are actually three parties involved in true preaching: the one speaking, the one listening, and the Holy Spirit who supplies the content. If any of those is missing, the result is not good. Hitler, for example, was quite a preacher, but instead of the Holy Spirit, he received his inspiration from demonic spirits. In contrast, Billy Graham likewise preached to stadiums full of people, but the results were very different, because he was, and at this juncture is, submitted to the Holy Spirit as to what to say. God indeed desires people who will be available to proclaim His Word to this lost and hurting world. As Paul said in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” However, this verse is focused on the third element of effective preaching, and that is those who hear. Jesus famous parable of the soil and the seed, recorded in Matthew 13 as well as in Mark and Luke, applies here. Cornelius and his household were certainly good soil, well plowed and prepared, eager to receive the Word. As a preacher myself, I have repeatedly seen situations where some in the congregation would be greatly blessed by God through my words, and others would be untouched, even bored, or occasionally irritated. The one hearing makes a huge difference! If people listen to preaching desiring and expecting to hear from God, then He is going to be faithful, just as He was with Cornelius’ household. If they come to church strictly out of obligation, or out of social motives, God might still get through to them, but the probability is much less.

I cannot wave a hand and instantly prepare hearts to receive the Word, but I can and do pray for them to be able to do so. My job is to be faithful to speak, in full submission to the Holy Spirit. I am to speak with full assurance and authority, because I am not speaking my own words but those supplied by God. However, I’ve got to be in right relationship with Him for that to happen. I must never take any part of this for granted, but neither am I to be anxious about whether it will happen, because the power isn’t mine in the first place. God doesn’t speak through me because I am worthy, but because I am available, so that should be my focus.

Father, thank You for the incredible privilege of speaking Your Word. I pray that I would not hold back, but also that I would speak only what You want me to say in any given situation. I have a tendency to keep talking when I should shut up! May I be a clean and clear channel of Your Word, Your grace, to all with whom You bring me into contact, so that they may be drawn to You for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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January 23, 2014

Posted on January 25, 2014 by jgarrott

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

I still remember years ago when I heard someone speak on this verse, pointing out that as far as the text goes, these good things seem to have happened as a direct consequence of getting Paul out of the way! He was still called Saul at this point, and though he was obviously flaming with zeal, he didn’t have the maturity that he later displayed. He was not yet good at keeping quiet, and it was something he needed to learn. Evidently his time in Arabia, mentioned in Galatians 1:17, happened either after verse 22 or more probably after verse 25. That was without question a valuable time of learning intimacy with God, but he still had to learn things about getting along with people. The whole point of this to me is that even Paul, who wrote half the New Testament, had to grow, both spiritually and emotionally. Paul himself came to understand this very well, as he expressed beautifully and famously in Philippians 3:12-14. We are never to think we have “arrived,” or don’t need to improve in various areas, but rather accept what the Lord allows us to experience as valuable training for whatever the Lord has for us next. It might not be fun at the time, but the results will be good if we are submitted to God in it, and we need to be thankful. (Hebrews 12:11)

At 65 I am as aware as I have ever been, if not more, of my need for further growth. Philippians 3:12-14 is daily reality for me. At the same time, as a pastor I am called on to counsel and guide others who haven’t spent as much time in God’s classroom as I have. I am not to hesitate to share what I have been shown, sometimes through painful experience, but I am never to come across as having all the answers myself. God has all the answers, and I am to share what He shows me, but I am to be honest about what I don’t know. My goal, as Paul said in Colossians 1:28, is to “present everyone perfect in Christ.” I can’t accomplish that in my own strength and wisdom, certainly, but God can use me in the process, and I am to keep myself available. (Colossians 1:29)

Father, thank You yet again for Your amazing patience with me. Help me exercise that same patience toward those with whom I work, that I may not “break” them or “snuff them out,” (Matthew 12:20) but rather lead them into all that You have prepared for them in Christ, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Recordings

Posted on January 24, 2014 by jgarrott

Since the first of the year we’ve finally managed to get recordings, audio and video, of the bilingual messages at this church onto the Internet. We created a Shinsei no Sato Youtube channel, as well as a Facebook page that has links to the Youtube files. The Audio Only files are indeed clearer audio, because they are from a digital recorder on the pulpit, and the video camera is in the back of the auditorium. This should get you started. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K20iC7JkIUE

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January 22, 2014

Posted on January 23, 2014 by jgarrott

Acts 9:18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.

What struck me as I read just now was the fact that virtually all Japanese are familiar with the expression, “scales from the eyes,” yet hardly any of them realize it’s from the Bible. The Bible has penetrated Japanese society far more than anyone realizes, I believe. I found out the other day that a well-known Japanese TV personality, whom no one would accuse of having a “Christian” image, during a broadcast around Christmas talked about how he attended church for a couple of years while in high school, and he quoted John 3:16 from memory, and very respectfully at that. I was flabbergasted, not only because I know about that TV personality, I also know the church he attended and the missionary who influenced him. As it says in 2 Timothy 2:19, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and often we don’t. We are familiar with Jesus’ words that “Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your Name, and in your Name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:22-23) However, I am convinced that there are also those whom we might not consider Christians, yet who are clinging to Jesus Christ as the only hope in their hearts. I believe I’ll see them in heaven! That’s not at all to say that I don’t value open commitment and church participation. After all, Jesus also said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Matthew 8:38) However, only God knows people’s hearts, and we must let Him be the judge.

This is of course of great interest and importance to me. I am not to condone syncretism, blending Christian elements with other religions, and I am to teach and practice wholehearted devotion to Jesus Christ in every area of life. However, I can’t forget the man who told me, “My ancestors were Christian samurai in the Hirado area. When the persecution came they took the trappings of Buddhism, but they were Christians in their hearts. I too am a Christian in my heart.” I cannot say definitively whether that man is saved or not. I am also reminded of what the Lord told Elijah: “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” (1 Kings 19:18, quoted in Romans 11:4) I feel that in the Lord’s timing, believers are going to “come out of the woodwork,” so to speak, and the churches of Japan are going to overflow beyond the wildest dreams of the current pastors and active members. This gives me hope and anticipation as I proclaim Christ to couples I marry, for example, even though I haven’t been called on to baptize anyone as a result. I am to be faithful, and leave the results in God’s hands.

Father, You know how much I would like to see a massive harvest. I do pray for Your harvest in Your timing, and for workers not only to gather in the sheaves but also to conserve the harvest, teaching and nurturing new converts to raise up true disciples. May Your Name be hallowed and Your kingdom come as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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January 21, 2014

Posted on January 23, 2014 by jgarrott

Acts 8:15-16 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Non-Pentecostals have a lot of trouble with this passage, and try all sorts of interpretations to wiggle out of it. However, the language is quite plain and unvarnished. In this case, clearly the Holy Spirit “coming upon” them was subsequent to their salvation. That’s not to say that’s normative, but it is certainly to say that it’s not unusual. They already had the Holy Spirit, because “no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit,” (1 Corinthians 12:3) and declaring Jesus to be Lord is essential for salvation. (Romans 10:9-10) However, it is clear from 2000 years of Church History that it is all too possible to be saved and yet not be operating in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. The big problem comes when people start applying various “litmus tests” to determine whether the Holy Spirit has “come upon” someone. The most frequent test is the gift of tongues, but that’s not what Jesus said. He said it was power to be His witness. (Acts 1:8) We need to get past our cliques and our pride and agree that every believer needs the power of the Holy Spirit to live as Christ’s representative.

My own baptism in the Holy Spirit was delayed precisely because I was seeking the gift of tongues ahead of the Spirit Himself. Once I got that misconception out of the way, I was filled with joy and boldness as a witness. Later I did receive assorted gifts, and can say that I have operated in each one mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12 at least once. However, if we put the gift ahead of the Giver, we’re in trouble all the way around. As a pastor in Japan, it has troubled me that so few Japanese believers seem to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I feel it has a lot to do with what a Japanese pastor said to me recently about Japanese not being spiritually hungry. He was talking about miracles, but it applies in every area of our walk with God. We have to be open to receive! Also, I know from experience that the more we allow the Holy Spirit to flow through us in various ways, the more He will be able to do so. It’s like running hot water through a vinyl hose: if you increase the pressure and the flow, the hose is going to expand, allowing greater and greater flow. In that particular illustration the hose will eventually rupture, but we don’t have that worry with the Holy Spirit! I am not to neglect the gifts that have been placed in me, (1 Timothy 4:14) and I am to encourage the believers to do likewise. I know that after I received the gift of tongues, when I stopped exercising it in my private devotions, it was like I dried up spiritually. I don’t want that for me or for any of the believers!

Father, this is territory in which I haven’t been very active in this church. Thank You for giving me this strong nudge to get me moving. I pray that I would be fully sensitive and obedient to You in following through, not operating in my own imagination but saying and doing what You desire and intend, so that this church may be and do exactly what You want, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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January 20, 2014

Posted on January 21, 2014 by jgarrott

Acts 8:4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

It is certainly striking that people who were being persecuted for proclaiming Christ went around proclaiming His Word as they escaped the persecution. It is this sort of response that has caused the Church to grow in almost every instance of persecution in the 2000 years since Pentecost. I hear credible reports that the Church is growing at a considerable rate in Iran, which is certainly the best hope of avoiding nuclear conflict there. The growth of the Church under Communist persecution in China is well known, to the point that China is currently the nation with the largest number of active believers in the world. That too should give us much more hope than the headlines would indicate. Even Christians tend to undervalue the power of God in changing lives, and through changed lives. I’m not at all saying that social and political action are to be avoided or even looked down on, but I am saying that focusing on those things without focusing of God first leaves us in humanistic limbo, with no power to accomplish that which we see as clearly desirable. It all comes back to Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well.” When our focus is on God and what He has done for us in Christ, then we will be able to appropriate His power to do His will, which certainly includes justice and mercy, not to mention the saving of lives for now and for eternity.

I have seen a very sad dichotomy practiced, even proclaimed, in the Church, with “Social Gospel” people forgetting to proclaim Christ and “Evangelical” people ignoring suffering. It is no accident that the highest-rated “charitable organization” is Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, because they are very effective in meeting needs and relieving suffering, but they do it, clearly and always, in the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Meeting needs is certainly what the Gospel is all about, and I must never forget that. People need to be saved spiritually above all, but they often can’t recognize that when they are overwhelmed with other needs. I am to do as Jesus did, healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, and feeding the hungry, all the while proclaiming the kingdom of God. If I will do that, then people whose lives have been transformed will go on to transform society, just as those early believers ended up transforming the Roman empire.

Father, the Japanese persecution of 400 years ago has been the most effective (from the persecutor’s standpoint) in Church history. You know the reasons for that, certainly better than I do. Help me get through to the Japanese who are in my care to turn them on to sharing Christ in spite of the societal restrictions. May we be a people who live out our faith so radiantly that many will be drawn to Your light in us, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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January 19, 2014

Posted on January 20, 2014 by jgarrott

Acts 5:41-42 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Two things about this episode are very instructional and worthy of emulation. The first is that they rejoiced to be counted worthy of suffering disgrace. Disgrace is not something anyone enjoys, unless they have been twisted into emotional masochism. However their joy was not at the disgrace itself, but that they had been counted worthy to suffer it. Actually, this was pretty physical “disgrace,” because it says that they were flogged. However, the memory of what Jesus went through before His crucifixion was still sharp in their minds, and the idea that they would be allowed to “participate in the sufferings of Christ,” as Peter later wrote, (1 Peter 4:13) was a high honor. Not having seen Jesus’ crucifixion with our own eyes, it isn’t as easy to have this reaction today, but I’m sure that many who endure active persecution today are given this revelation to sustain them. The other point we need to notice here is that they were taking every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel, and being flogged for it didn’t slow them down a bit. Few people are so earnest today, even without the fear of being flogged for it! The frequency was daily, and the location was both public (the temple) and private (from house to house). This was proclamation, and it went beyond that to teaching, just as Jesus said in the Great Commission: “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20) We aren’t to “dunk ’em and drop ’em,” but proclaim until there is repentance and faith, and then nurture and teach until there is full, active discipleship.

I don’t feel like I have personally “suffered shame” for the Gospel, and I have certainly never been flogged for proclaiming it, so I have to examine myself as to how faithfully I have made use of the opportunities I have been given. As a pastor/teacher I am to be equipping the believers for the work of ministry, (Ephesians 4:11-12) so my concern is also for how well they are making use of the opportunities they are given. Japan is certainly not an easy place for that, because cultural norms do not include talking about faith, and as a Japanese speaker at a recent meeting was saying, few Japanese are spiritually hungry. Actually, I would qualify that to say that few Japanese recognize their spiritual hunger. Every human being is created with a need and desire for a relationship with their Creator, but that has been blunted and masked to a high degree in this nation. I am not to give up by any means, but be active in prayer that the Holy Spirit may open people’s eyes to their own condition as well as to the Savior who died to lift them out of that, so that more and more may be brought from darkness to light, from death to life, for the glory of God.

Father, thank You for speaking to me just now that You have considered me worthy of a lack of recognition and honor. That’s not on the level of being flogged, certainly, but it’s something that has bothered me occasionally. Help me indeed keep my eyes on the prize (Philippians 3:14) and stay faithful and strong, for as long as You have use for me here, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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January 18, 2014

Posted on January 20, 2014 by jgarrott

Acts 5:28-29 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.”
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”

This is a magnificent story that is very applicable to us today. In the first place, the high priest paid the apostles a high compliment, though that certainly wasn’t his intention, when he said, “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching.” In other words, he was saying that they were engaging in very effective evangelism! That was in the face of what is happening with increasing frequency in America today: strict orders not to teach in the Name of Jesus. Of course, the situation in America is much milder than that in Muslim countries or North Korea, where even declaring the Name of Jesus in public can get you killed, but even in Japan there is a movement afoot to revive state Shinto, essentially, by teaching its foundational myths in public schools and requiring students to participate in Shinto observances. This is certainly a time to learn from Peter and the other apostles to say, “We must obey God rather than men,” whatever the personal cost. Too many Christians today tend to “roll over and play dead” at the first sign of real opposition, when that is not the way to experience the victory God has for us in Christ. (Romans 8:37) It is certainly not the way our forebears in the faith lived!

I have not experience much personal opposition to my faith in Christ, so I risk being glib here. This is not a position to take lightly; martyrdom continues to increase. I must never place my personal comfort and convenience ahead of obedience and loyalty to Jesus Christ my Lord. As I look over the congregation here, as well as over the wider Church, I see so many Christians distracted by peripheral issues, seemingly unable to fix their hearts fully on Christ. I know from my own experience that distractions can at times seem overwhelming, but so many people fail to recognize them as distractions. Not understanding how central and supreme Christ needs to be, they treat Him as a nice accessory to their lives, and hardly begin to walk in the spiritual abundance that God intends for them. I am not to look down on or talk down to them, but neither am I to let them continue blindly like that. I am to declare the Word of the Lord to them in love, challenging them to make Christ first in every area of their lives and hearts, emotions as well as intellect. I cannot cause them to do that in my own strength, certainly, but I can be available and useful to the Holy Spirit for Him to do it, and that is my prayer.

Father, You know all that is going on far better than I do. Thank You for the opposition that is an indication we are at least stepping on the devil’s toes! Help me be strong in Christ, always operating in Your love, so that as many as possible may be set free from the assorted chains that bind them to walk in the liberty of Your Spirit, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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January 17, 2014

Posted on January 20, 2014 by jgarrott

Acts 4:29-30 “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

There are all sorts of things in this brief passage. In the first place, there is the very obvious point that when the believers were threatened and told to shut up about Jesus, they asked God to enable them to speak even more boldly. That’s in marked contrast to the way most of us act! Christians today in the US are facing a real challenge in precisely this area, where a small minority of people antagonistic to Christianity are trying to put a muzzle on all Christians. American Christians are so unused to this sort of thing that they are essentially accepting the muzzle, rather than asking God for more boldness. There are thankfully exceptions, but what I have said is all too common. Another thing that stands out to me in this passage is that the believers referred to themselves as God’s servants, and then to Jesus as God’s holy servant. They weren’t placing themselves on the same plane as Jesus, but they were acknowledging that they were as much God’s servants as He was. That too is an attitude and understanding that is far too rare in the Church today. Paul stated that we are God’s purchased property, (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and as such we are to serve Him alone. A third thing that strikes me is that the believers had every expectation of God doing miraculous things through them to confirm His word. That is certainly lacking in most churches today! However, I was talking recently with a Japanese pastor who says that 70% of the members of his church are there because of experiencing some sort of miracle, either directly or to someone close to them. Until now, Japan has been strikingly low on miracles. This man’s church is heavily international, and many of the miracles have occurred in relation to non-Japanese, but that has created a rising expectation of God’s works of power among the Japanese members as well. What a blessing!

I am enormously challenged by this. From the time I came to Omura over 30 years ago I desired, and really expected, God to confirm His Word through me through “signs following.” (Mark 16:20) However, I have seen very little of that, and what I have seen has mostly been when I was away from home. With all that God has been saying to us recently, from this year’s Scripture on, I believe that is going to change. I am not to be bound by what has or hasn’t happened in the past, but know that nothing is impossible for God, and expect Him to act for His glory and the salvation of many.

Father, I know that I can no more make this happen myself today than I could 30 years ago, but I also know that it is no difficulty for You. I ask You to lift us up out of our morass of humanism and enable us to look to You and really believe and trust You to act. I ask for a spirit of repentance and obedience to fall on the Body of Christ in Omura, in this church and in all the others as well, so that we may be fully hungry for You and the things of Your kingdom, and allow You to use even us for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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January 16, 2014

Posted on January 17, 2014 by jgarrott

John 17:15 “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.”

Probably the majority of believers have at least once prayed (even if not formally) “Lord, get me out of here!” That’s perfectly natural, given the state of the world, and the desire itself is not a sin. However, taking matters into our own hands and and committing, or even attempting, suicide is a different matter. Suicide is insisting on having our own way, rather than trusting God, and that is the fundamental sin from the Garden of Eden. Many people have pointed out that suicide is the most self-centered thing anyone could do. Sometimes the motive is hatred, destroying yourself to make others feel bad. It doesn’t take much thought to realize that is sinful. Sometimes the motive is a desire to atone for your own sins, but not only is that a spiritual and physical impossibility – our lives simply aren’t enough to do the trick – Jesus Christ has already atoned for everything we have ever done or could do. We have to accept that by faith, to receive God’s salvation. The third major motive is despair, and this is perhaps the most common. The devil, the father of lies, manages to convince us there is no other way out, and since we see our current situation as intolerable, we take the way the devil indicates. I have great empathy for someone in that situation, but there too it is declining to receive the faith that God offers us. There are many, many Scriptures that should speak to us in such circumstances, but we have to receive them and allow God to impart faith and hope to us. This verse is actually one of those Scriptures, because it reminds us that Jesus is praying for us, and that should bring comfort and hope indeed.

As someone who has attempted suicide, I speak from experience. God is incredibly gracious, and He loves each of us beyond what we can imagine. As I deal with those around me who are in “escape mode” I need to be an open, effective channel of that grace and love. I am not to condemn or dump guilt trips on anyone, but I am to point them to the One who already took care of it all on the cross, and still rose on the third day, demonstrating His victory over all that seeks to destroy us. I have been instrumental in preventing some suicides, and I am grateful. Others, I have either not been close enough or not in time. That’s painful. I am to seek first and foremost to be fully available to the Holy Spirit, because only He can speak God’s grace and comfort directly to hearts. If He uses my words and actions in the process, praise the Lord!

Father, thank You for all You have brought me through. Help me indeed comfort others with the comfort I have received, (2 Corinthians 1:4) so that together we may look to Christ and walk in all that You have for us in Him, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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