The AFL Grand Final is on this weekend, so there will be a BBQ at church from 1:30pm.
After that, boxing is running from 4-6pm, then:
Evangelion
Message: Mark, Chapter 4
Where:
Bamboo Hall
Canterbury Presbyterian Church
146 Canterbury Road, Canterbury
Start:
6pm for dinner
7pm for Evangelion (Finish 9pm)
More information?
Email Steve
steve.mjcc@gmail.com
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Problem in Japan
From Japan Today:
"TOKYO — The crowd in the Ishimaru Soft event space in Akihabara sits anxiously awaiting the arrival of an idol, whose most recent DVD they purchased for the right to meet her. Led on by the MC, the 50 or so middle-aged men call out in unison: “Mana-chan!” After two more calls, she appears—a girl of 13, looking dazed and sheepish. As the cameras zoom in, she strips down to her bikini, which drapes on her under-developed form."
The article gives valuable information about this sick subculture.
These '50 or so' men need a punch in the throat! And the Gospel. How much money is spent, and how many lives are ruined by these sins. Let no one tell you there is no such place as Hell. Let no one fool you into believing that the world is not full of sin. Those 50 or so men are headed for hell unless they repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you following them too? Or do you turn from sin in repentanc and put your faith in Jesus?
There's only 2 options.
"TOKYO — The crowd in the Ishimaru Soft event space in Akihabara sits anxiously awaiting the arrival of an idol, whose most recent DVD they purchased for the right to meet her. Led on by the MC, the 50 or so middle-aged men call out in unison: “Mana-chan!” After two more calls, she appears—a girl of 13, looking dazed and sheepish. As the cameras zoom in, she strips down to her bikini, which drapes on her under-developed form."
The article gives valuable information about this sick subculture.
These '50 or so' men need a punch in the throat! And the Gospel. How much money is spent, and how many lives are ruined by these sins. Let no one tell you there is no such place as Hell. Let no one fool you into believing that the world is not full of sin. Those 50 or so men are headed for hell unless they repent and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Are you following them too? Or do you turn from sin in repentanc and put your faith in Jesus?
There's only 2 options.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Opinion of the world - kissing before marriage
From AdelaideNow;
A RADICAL U.S. preacher, who is set to visit Adelaide, says young Christians should not kiss or cuddle before marriage because they will get carried away and end up having sex.
If you read the article and then the reader comments you will see a good picture of what the world thinks about the bible's message on sex and marriage.
The opinion of the news report is that the message this preacher has is shocking and radical. And, it is, to some degree. It is radical because it goes against what the world wants you to believe about marriage and sexuality.
The report quotes: "Sexual health experts say the abstinence message is a dangerous one, because it leaves young people without the education and confidence to deal with sexual issues."
This is rubbish! The people who disagree with the message of abstinence, do so because they disagree with God. The bible teaches that sexual health is remaining pure before marriage and keeping pure within marriage. The bible does, in fact, teach very clearly on sex between husband and wife - the book of the Song of Solomon is a clear example. The sexual issue that a believer must deal with is chastity before marriage. The bible is very clear - sex before marriage is absolutely not acceptable. There are no verses or chapters of the bible which say the opposite!
This is another reason why it is so dangerous for a believer to 'date' or 'be in a relationship' with a non-Christian. The world is teaching that it is good and correct to have sex, to kiss passionately, to touch, to fondle, before marriage. In fact, it is simply accepted by the world that these activities are what two people should do if they are in a relationship. But this is totally against what the bible says, and you cannot be following Jesus and growing as a Christian if you follow the world at the same time.
BTW, he's radical because he preaches from the bible.
A RADICAL U.S. preacher, who is set to visit Adelaide, says young Christians should not kiss or cuddle before marriage because they will get carried away and end up having sex.
If you read the article and then the reader comments you will see a good picture of what the world thinks about the bible's message on sex and marriage.
The opinion of the news report is that the message this preacher has is shocking and radical. And, it is, to some degree. It is radical because it goes against what the world wants you to believe about marriage and sexuality.
The report quotes: "Sexual health experts say the abstinence message is a dangerous one, because it leaves young people without the education and confidence to deal with sexual issues."
This is rubbish! The people who disagree with the message of abstinence, do so because they disagree with God. The bible teaches that sexual health is remaining pure before marriage and keeping pure within marriage. The bible does, in fact, teach very clearly on sex between husband and wife - the book of the Song of Solomon is a clear example. The sexual issue that a believer must deal with is chastity before marriage. The bible is very clear - sex before marriage is absolutely not acceptable. There are no verses or chapters of the bible which say the opposite!
This is another reason why it is so dangerous for a believer to 'date' or 'be in a relationship' with a non-Christian. The world is teaching that it is good and correct to have sex, to kiss passionately, to touch, to fondle, before marriage. In fact, it is simply accepted by the world that these activities are what two people should do if they are in a relationship. But this is totally against what the bible says, and you cannot be following Jesus and growing as a Christian if you follow the world at the same time.
BTW, he's radical because he preaches from the bible.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Why do you work?
It is common in office jobs, and small businesses, for people to work long hours. We have all heard of salarymen who spend the entire day in the office. Leaving home at 6am or 7am to travel the 1 or 2 hours to get to the office. Then working past 5pm. Working sometimes until 11pm, taking the last train home. And then doing the same thing the next day.
But why?
Do you get paid extra for the additional hours? Does your family need you to work extra to pay for medical bills, or for school for your 6 children?
Or.... are you just a regular employee who works the long hours because you think that's just what you're supposed to do? Are you just a guy who doesn't want to be different from all of the other guys in the company?
The bible says we should work hard. And a man must be the provider for his family. But the bible does also says that we should not neglect our responsibilities. If you are married, you have a huge responsibility to your wife and children. In fact, apart from God, they are the biggest responsibility you have. You also have a responsibility to serve God, and His church. It is too common for male Christians to leave the responsibility of church to women. This is not how the bible says church should be.
If you work long hours for no benefit, then stop, and repent. Use your energy to serve the church. Study the bible. Lead ministry. If you are married use your energy to love and serve your wife. Teach your children, protect your family.
It is good to work hard. But don't forget why you are doing it.
But why?
Do you get paid extra for the additional hours? Does your family need you to work extra to pay for medical bills, or for school for your 6 children?
Or.... are you just a regular employee who works the long hours because you think that's just what you're supposed to do? Are you just a guy who doesn't want to be different from all of the other guys in the company?
The bible says we should work hard. And a man must be the provider for his family. But the bible does also says that we should not neglect our responsibilities. If you are married, you have a huge responsibility to your wife and children. In fact, apart from God, they are the biggest responsibility you have. You also have a responsibility to serve God, and His church. It is too common for male Christians to leave the responsibility of church to women. This is not how the bible says church should be.
If you work long hours for no benefit, then stop, and repent. Use your energy to serve the church. Study the bible. Lead ministry. If you are married use your energy to love and serve your wife. Teach your children, protect your family.
It is good to work hard. But don't forget why you are doing it.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Hebrews 3
ヘブライ人への手紙 / 3章 7-15節
だから、聖霊がこう言われるとおりです。「今日、あなたたちが神の声を聞くなら、
荒れ野で試練を受けたころ、／神に反抗したときのように、／心をかたくなにしてはならない。
荒れ野であなたたちの先祖は／わたしを試み、験し、／四十年の間わたしの業を見た。だから、わたしは、その時代の者たちに対して／憤ってこう言った。『彼らはいつも心が迷っており、／わたしの道を認めなかった。』
そのため、わたしは怒って誓った。『彼らを決してわたしの安息に／あずからせはしない』と。」
兄弟たち、あなたがたのうちに、信仰のない悪い心を抱いて、生ける神から離れてしまう者がないように注意しなさい。
あなたがたのうちだれ一人、罪に惑わされてかたくなにならないように、「今日」という日のうちに、日々励まし合いなさい。――
わたしたちは、最初の確信を最後までしっかりと持ち続けるなら、キリストに連なる者となるのです。――
それについては、次のように言われています。「今日、あなたたちが神の声を聞くなら、／神に反抗したときのように、／心をかたくなにしてはならない。」
いったいだれが、神の声を聞いたのに、反抗したのか。モーセを指導者としてエジプトを出たすべての者ではなかったか。
Hebrews 3:7-15 (New International Version)
So, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.
That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'
So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.' "
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. As has just been said:
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
Make sure you don't have an unbelieving heart. When we turn away from the truth of Jesus, our hearts become harder.
We ALL have sinful hearts. You do. I do, as well. But remember that Jesus offers us the hope of eternal life. We must repent and believe the Gospel.
Repent from the sins you have committed, and believe that (for those who believe) Jesus died on the cross, for your sins, in your place, as your substitute.
だから、聖霊がこう言われるとおりです。「今日、
荒れ野で試練を受けたころ、／神に反抗したときのように、／
荒れ野であなたたちの先祖は／わたしを試み、験し、／
そのため、わたしは怒って誓った。『
兄弟たち、あなたがたのうちに、信仰のない悪い心を抱いて、
あなたがたのうちだれ一人、
わたしたちは、最初の確信を最後までしっかりと持ち続けるなら、
それについては、次のように言われています。「今日、
いったいだれが、神の声を聞いたのに、反抗したのか。
Hebrews 3:7-15 (New International Version)
So, as the Holy Spirit says:
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.
That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.'
So I declared on oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.' "
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first. As has just been said:
"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
Make sure you don't have an unbelieving heart. When we turn away from the truth of Jesus, our hearts become harder.
We ALL have sinful hearts. You do. I do, as well. But remember that Jesus offers us the hope of eternal life. We must repent and believe the Gospel.
Repent from the sins you have committed, and believe that (for those who believe) Jesus died on the cross, for your sins, in your place, as your substitute.
Christian dating?
I just read some posts on a forum for Christian dating. Apart from the fact that most posters used poor grammar, it was disappointing to see a community of people who claimed to be Christians and yet not have much of a grasp of what their faith meant.
There was almost no references made to the bible in discussions, and most comments were simply opinions. Foolish opinions, too.
For those who are serious about getting teaching on dating* I'd recommend these sermons by Mars Hill Church pastor Mark Driscoll
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/religionsaves/dating
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/religionsaves/sexual-sin
* I personally don't think "dating" is something that a faithful Christian should do. My objection is based on the very lose meaning of the word. And if you're really 'courting' someone, then just say 'courting'.
There was almost no references made to the bible in discussions, and most comments were simply opinions. Foolish opinions, too.
For those who are serious about getting teaching on dating* I'd recommend these sermons by Mars Hill Church pastor Mark Driscoll
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/religionsaves/dating
http://www.marshillchurch.org/media/religionsaves/sexual-sin
* I personally don't think "dating" is something that a faithful Christian should do. My objection is based on the very lose meaning of the word. And if you're really 'courting' someone, then just say 'courting'.
start delayed
It is now exceedingly clear that our first night will not be May. We hope for a June start.
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