Quite a few people have the flu, and I hope and pray that those who could not make it here this morning will be able to worship with us next week.

Once a young man visited me asking several interesting questions about the Bible. I couldn't satisfy him in answering all of those questions. But, when he got up to leave in despair, I gave him a Bible and asked him to read the book of Revelations. A few weeks later, he came back after he had carefully read what I had asked him to. He looked so serious, and he couldn't help believing in God just because of the terrible judgements that were written in that book.

Since I have been mentioning "cell groups", I have continued praying for this new trial and challenge. Some of you may have been very concerned and worried about this brand new concept but please remember that when Jesus was with us He started some very new things. The teachers and the leaders of the Law could not accept Jesus' new teaching -- and this resulted in their killing Him on the cross.

First, we have to think one more time about what the Church is. The Church is a collection, or congregation, of those who are called by God's love. And here is another fact: the Church is not just for pastors. Nor is it 'of' the pastors. But, the Church, and a church, is for the believers. We have been called together in the love and faith of God, our Father.

As you know, the world is finding itself in more and more troubles. We have more crimes. Our economies are getting worse. We, creatures of God, badly need to go back to the Bible, which has the truth and deserves to be believed. Whenever we are far from the Word of God, we can't make our lives straight! Look back at human history. When Luther was well-used for the religious revolution, people were so fallen. Luther knew that people needed to get back to the Bible, so he was instrumental in that process. There have been quite a few people used in making people look back to the Bible.

Re.3:7,8 says, "I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut." This holy verse is my inspiration now. When I went back to the Bible, this is what was given to me.

The new idea of cell groups must sound to you so unfamiliar and strange. Being over 50, I don't have to try a brand new technique, which comes with brand new burdens. I am feeling my age! However, the Spirit which is inside of me keeps telling me to make use of this idea.

Once Jesus called Himself 'the Way' and 'the Door' through which people could finally find salvation. This God places an open door before people, and to those people God tries to send me. We do have the burden of spreading out the Gospel. There is a video, entitled "Wives of the Mafia", which has recorded the living testimonies of the wives of husbands who used to be in the Mafia. They spent a long time praying over their husbands, who were so far away from God's salvation. But, through perseverance, their husbands found Christ! This video is very encouraging. We tend to give up as we try to bring people to Jesus. Often we close the open door by ourselves. We forget that the door is open for them! But, actually, the door IS open. Read Acts 12:1-11. When Peter was arrested, people were earnestly praying for him to be freed. Meanwhile, Peter was fast asleep. How bold and faithful he was! It seemed impossible that he would be released, but the people, who loved him, kept praying for him. Finally, the door was opened! This would have been impossible without the work of God. Read Re.4:1. The situation around us often appears impossible to break through with the power of the Ruler of this World against us. But, when we look up to Heaven, there is a way for us to get through. God says, "I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut."

Let us keep going forward, having already crossed through this open door that is before our friends and families.

Translated by Junko Okamoto - Edited for the Net by Shido
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