Hey, church family! How’s everyone doing? It’s been a week! Today, we’re diving into another church message. And listen—whether you’re part of our church or not, whether you share our faith or not, you are absolutely welcome here. It doesn’t matter if you’re an atheist, believe in aliens, or follow a completely different worldview—if you’re here right now, you’re welcome!
So, let’s engage together in the message, and feel free to drop comments in the chat. I see a lot of familiar names—Ayumi, good morning! Rinrin, Junko, thanks for joining! Even Bishop is here! Love the energy. Keisuke, good morning! Ose is here too! Glad to have you all.
So, how’s your week been? Are you doing well? How’s your heart? Let me know in the comments. Let’s interact and enjoy this together.
Alright, let’s start with a prayer. If you’re a Christian, bow your head and close your eyes.
Father, thank You for gathering the people who need to hear this message today. This isn’t a coincidence—it’s meant to be. Let there be light. Open our eyes and ears so we receive what we need today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Today’s message is for those who want to change the world. If that’s you, then this message is for you.
But if you’re thinking, the world is fine as it is, I don’t need anything to change, then honestly, you might want to skip this one. But if you believe the world can be better—if you believe it should be better—then stick with me to the end.
Last Sunday was huge. It wasn’t just any Sunday—it was the day we shared our church’s purpose, vision, and goals for 2023. This wasn’t something I came up with overnight. I prayed about this for three, four years, and God finally revealed it to us.
So let’s review. Do you remember our purpose? If you do, type it in the comments! This purpose—it’s our heartbeat. It’s our direction. I’m going to keep saying it until it’s engraved in your mind. Until you can repeat it without even thinking. Until you’re sick of hearing it!
So, what is our purpose? Let’s put it up:
"As people united with Jesus, we invite everyone to heaven with God’s level of love and joy."
This is what drives us. This is what our church exists for.
Our vision is this:
"We will be a tower so high that everyone can see hope.
We will be a house so wide that everyone can run into it for refuge.
We will be a foundation so strong that it lasts forever."
Whoa. Let that sink in.
If you weren’t here last week, this might not make sense yet. But I promise—go back and watch the last message, and you’ll see what I mean. This vision is powerful. And if you’re part of our church, you don’t have a choice—you have to know this.
Because this isn’t just a church—it’s our church. This is what we’re called to be.
Our faith goal for 2023 is this:
"We will unite as one and multiply by ten."
What does that mean? It means:
That’s what we’re believing for. And we’re going to make it happen together.
Last week, we talked about John 15:5. Jesus said:
"I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit. Apart from me, you can do nothing."
If we want to bear fruit—if we want to make an impact—we have to stay connected to Jesus.
So how do we do that? Two things:
These two things are inseparable. If Jesus’ words truly live in us, then we will naturally become one with His body, the Church.
Let’s look at 1 Corinthians 12:12-13:
"The human body has many parts, but all these parts make up one body. The same is true for Christ’s body—the Church."
"We are all baptized by the same Spirit into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free."
If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit lives in you. And if the same Spirit lives in you and me, then we are one body.
That means the Church isn’t just a place—it’s us. It’s you.
Paul continues in 1 Corinthians 12:14-21:
"The body is not just one part—it’s many."
"If the foot says, ‘I’m not a hand, so I don’t belong,’ does that make it any less part of the body? No."
"If the ear says, ‘I’m not an eye, so I don’t belong,’ does that make it any less part of the body? No."
Every part matters. Even the ones that seem small or weak.
A body made of only eyes can’t hear. A body made of only ears can’t see. We need every part to function as one.
So why does this matter? 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 says:
"So there should be no division in the body, but each part should have equal concern for the others."
"If one part suffers, the whole body suffers. If one part is honored, the whole body rejoices."
If your pinky toe hurts, your whole body feels it, right? The same is true for the Church. If one of us is struggling, we all feel it. If one of us is blessed, we all celebrate.
That’s why we lift each other up. That’s why we help the weak. Because we are one.
This Church? It’s not mine. It’s not theirs. It’s yours.
If you think of yourself as just a visitor—like you’re attending someone else’s church—you’re missing the point.
This isn’t just A church. It’s YOUR church. Because you are the body of Christ.
And when we live like that—when we see the Church as our responsibility, our family—that’s when we see the power of God move in ways we never imagined.
So here’s my challenge to you:
Because when we become one, we will see miracles happen. We will see lives changed. We will see the world transformed.
Let’s be the Church—together.
Amen.
