I'm so thankful that we can worship our God together at this very place with the praise songs of "Melting Pot" and the "Angel Kids". Next week, I will be away to a prefecture up north to give a sermon at a special gathering there. I will miss you all so much!

Last week, I was given an opportunity to attend a certain gathering for those who can't see. It was a Christian gathering and I was moved so much to see those people. I think it is both a blessing and spiritually healthy to have the blind with us at church services. Then, something warm from God is automatically drawn up out of ourselves. I must admit that I feel some envy for churches who have handicapped people. With them, we ourselves can be changed into loving people. I hope and pray that we will also be changed into ones who are like Jesus, who had love and compassion for the suffer of others.

Looking back to the early times of human history, God created us as human beings with our own free will. There are so many things happening around us today that make us wonder "How could these evil things be happening?" -- all of these things, however, are the results of the choices we make using our free will. Sad to say, but without knowing it, there is something that doesn't please God's reign over you. For some reason, we will keep letting Satan rule some of our beings. We can't fully know our own true God, who holds our lives in His hands! The king, Belshazzar, was a remarkable example of this. Knowing the real and true God, who showed His mightiness to his father, he still continued to ignore Him. He had no awe of Him! He placed himself, in his mind, as one who was in authority over everything, even beyond God's authority.

We can see, in the history of Japan, the same sin; in World War I, Japan became so arrogant that it proclaimed to other nations "We, Japanese, are not even afraid of God!" All of the other nations did not respect our words, but felt sorry for this silly nation. Japan maintained this same attitude toward God till His judgement was pronounced against it. It had been thinking that it was the strongest nation in the world until the nuclear bomb fell on Hiroshima, and then, Nagasaki. Read Ga.6:7-9; and Ro.1:18-25. Though there exists God, who created everything, people refused to admit Him into their lives [and world-view]. But, God cannot be deceived.

The other day, as you know, two unique women died; Diana and Mother Teressa. Their funerals showed the contrast; over two billion people watched Diana's funeral. It was gorgeous and splendid to see. But, Mother Teressa's was simple, and was held in a small place. Though they were so different, we all know which one was more peaceful.

Friends, do not deceive God. We all know the truth [that we are not really in control]. Ga.6:9 tells us, "Don't be tired of doing what is good." Living in this world where Satan works freely, we easily tire of doing good, following the truth, etc. But, it is necessary for us to remember that there is a time when we will receive the fruit of our labours. Reading today's scripture passage, and watching people do evil around us, we know what the end will be of those who continue to try to deceive God. So encourage yourselves that you will remain doing what is God's will [and not that of our Enemy], with the full work of His Holy Spirit.

Translated by Junko Okamoto - Edited for the Net by Shido
For another sermon see: Oita Evangelical Christ Church
For all sermon indicies see: cHaPeL nOaH sErMoN iNdEx