A Message from Shido


1st Sunday, at Oita Evangelical Christ Church, on November 7th, 1999

God rest ye merry, Gentlemen. John 14:27.

Now, here is something that the World cannot give. Though we can find it in God's presence, and in truth, God's presence is all around us now, even as we live. I tell you the truth, many of you, perhaps all of you, have experienced this peace as we have relaxed from hard work in recreational solitude, and this experience is not merely relaxing from stress, nor merely enjoying God's creation. It is deeper. It is an experience that only comes from God, and God alone.

Now again, I would like to explain to you an idiom, probably originally a British idiom, although now it is in common use through out the English-speaking world; and that is the idiom 'On Tap'. On tap means 'to have immediately available for use' -- it comes from the 'public houses' of Britain, where people go to drink ale and beer socially. If these beverages were not 'on tap' it could mean that they were not available, or perhaps not immediately available, but they would certainly not be accessible from the tap of the kegs at the service counter, and therefore the service would not be as convenient, if it were possible at all.

A mountain climber does not have God 'on tap' -- he must go through a significant exercise, or perhaps even trial, before he can enter into God's presence. We all have to prepare ourselves before we can meet God -- this is true also. But consider the preparation that a mountain climber has to go through in order to enter into God's presence. A practising Christian has God's presence 'on tap': for such a Christian, experiencing God's presence can be immediate -- this is because God has prepared His adopted children, and in this preparation, His adopted children have been obedient to their Father in Heaven. Jesus, the Son, is there, in this relationship, and He gives us the peace that He Himself possesses in His own relationship with His Father. It is a Holy, sacred, beautiful peace -- there is none greater.

But, in spite of this, there are still Christians living with out God's peace. Why is this? Do you suppose that this is some kind of emotional trick? No, it's not. The peace of God is very real, and if you look you can find people around you who have it. However, we must remember that it is connected to our relationship with Jesus -- and I am sorry to say but often we Christians are unfaithful to our Lord; spending more time in our relationships with the World than we honestly do with Christ. So here it is, plain and simple; we must have Jesus in our lives! And, we can not keep a friend if we ignore Him. A relationship cannot exist in a vacuum. Try it and see. Do you want Jesus? Then, say so -- to Him. Talk to Him. Confess your weaknesses to Him. Trust Him. Listen to His words -- as they are found in the Holy Bible. Do not be ashamed of your friend -- He will never let you down. Tell Him how much you appreciate His company. All of this is living in a relationship -- and truly you will have His peace -- and this is so -- inspite of anything you may have done, or may have been, you will be a Christian. Confess this to others and something more wonderful will happen, you will be saved. Be baptised in this, and know that you will have truly identified yourself with Christ's death in this World, and also with His very real eternal life -- your life to come because of your relationship. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news to mankind, the good will of God that the angels heralded at our Lord's birth 2000 years ago. God bless you!


For the author's homepage, see Shido
The Japanese sermon based on John 14:27-31: Oita Evangelical Christ Church
For Oita Evangelical Christ Church sermon indicies, see: cHaPeL nOaH sErMoN iNdEx
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