Tokyo Update #3

For the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? (1 Cor. 12:14-17)

This week’s sermon was rather simple: God desires us to learn to accept people with different personalities. God purposes to build unity out of diversity. God never intended the body to conform and all become the same. He purposely made each member different with different functions to fill. We need to recognize that the result of our life together with all our differences is something better than if we isolated ourselves or associated with only those who are the same as us.

Differences can lead to a better understanding of God and His ways. We can challenge and stimulate one another rather than judge and conflict with one another. We can learn from one another. Rather than question who is right, we must learn to ask how we can learn together what is right. The ultimate key to biblical unity is to see one another as God sees us. No one is greater than others. We are all sinners saved by grace. When we despise another believer because of his or her differences, you are despising someone for whom Christ died for.

Yet, the reality is that everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices – just recognize them. An American playwright, George Aiken, once said “If we were to wake up some morning and find that everyone was the same race, creed and color, we would find some other cause for prejudice by noon.” If so, then how can we learn to accept people who are different? The only permanent solution is to be transformed by God’s grace that is effectively working among us as we continue to fellowship with one another. We need to richly and intentionally allow God’s Word to dwell within the community. Then we need to allow the mature believers to teach and encourage the younger ones to believe in God’s Word and together fulfill God’s purpose for His glory. This is precisely what Japan’s churches need.

Yet, this process does not happen overnight. It happens slowly as we continue to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word as His Spirit moves among us. It requires patience and longsuffering. Moreover, it requires committed people to tirelessly preach the Word correctly and effectively in season and out of season in order to insure that God’s values are being recognized and practiced by His people. We believe that God has sovereignty equipped us to be able to do this task effectively in Tokyo. After the Sunday sermon, one of our church members, Miss Makiko Sumi, tearfully prayed that we would be able to live out this reality together as we continue to fellowship with one another as the Body of Christ. We could sense God’s Spirit moving among us and there was a new desire among the congregation to change to fulfill God’s purpose in Japan. The last thing we want to do is to kill this momentum which God is causing in our church.

So, we prayerfully ask you to consider partnering with us financially through regular giving, if you have not yet, so that we can continue this much needed ministry in Japan that could possibly change the spiritual climate of Tokyo. In less than three weeks, I will be returning to the US in order to continue our support discovery trip. We still need over $3,500 monthly commitment above what we have already raised. We believe that we can raise this amount easily with God’s people’s involvement who want to see God’s glory being manifested in one of the most spiritually neglected cities in the world.

This is one of those situations in which we cannot accomplish the task unless we work together. Amy and I are committed to give all so that we can be used by God to make a lasting change in the lives of those who live in Tokyo. All we need is 1% of the efforts of 100 people who are willing to accomplish the task together for the sake of God’s glory. It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference. But if you prayerfully choose to join us today through prayer and regular giving, you can make a lasting difference in the lives of Japanese people every day through us. Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” I think he is right.