1. God’s Word through the Prophets

Today we will examine God’s words recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. Jesus often read this book and referred to it many times during the course of his teachings. For example, when Jesus was asked which is the most important law commandment, He answered the question by referring to Deuteronomy 6:4, “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’” (Mark 12:29-30). (³¤­…)

1. Dedication of Solomon’s Temple

Today, after the worship service, we will hold a meeting to discuss the proposed construction of our church, by taking advice and recommendations from Mr. Shiraishi, the planner of Tamagawa church. This church building was constructed 35 ago and we need to fortify it for seismic protection in compliance with current land legislation. But, before we take a step toward the reality of commencing the work, I think we must reflect upon the importance of the church building itself. So today we will seek some spiritual guidance by lecturing on a passage from the Bible, concerning the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem.* (³¤­…)

1. The Coming of the Lord

We will participate today in the commemoration service for our foundation day. This church was originally established as a preaching place belonging to Koiwa New Baptist church, which observed the first worship service on the 6th November 1969. Since then, the land was obtained, construction was achieved, and the independent church structure was organized on the 3rd November. So, we celebrate every year our foundation day on the first Lord’s day of November. According to the Baptist church calendar the first Lord’s day of November is All Saints Day* or all Souls day.** (³¤­…)

# On the 4th Sunday of every month, Pastor Mizuguchi gives a lecture of reflections upon, “The Sermon on the Mount.” This session today, is the seventh of the series.

1. To Forfeit a Natural Right

Today’s lecture concerns Jesus’ antithesis on retaliation, which in fact deals with the law of compensation for injury. In the time of Jesus, and perhaps from earlier times, Exodus 21:24 was understood as allowing an injured man to claim damages. Jesus replaced this reasonable practice by instructing those injured not to insist on their rights, but to give more than is demanded of them: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:38-39). (³¤­…)