I Am With You

This is the English-translated outline of the sermon delivered by Rev. Musubi Tabuchi to the congregations of Ashiya Christian Church and Unfinished Community on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025, drawing from John 14:8-27

Since the end of May, we have been working through the message that Jesus left for his disciples on earth, and for us, during those 40 days when he walked with them after his crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection, and before his ascension into heaven: love one another, receive the peace of Christ, and be as one. Today, we have heard about how God is in Jesus, and how Jesus is within us as well.

In the Old Testament, in the very beginning of Genesis, when humankind was first created from the dust of the earth, God breathed into the the "breath of life," making them living beings. We are not simply alive by chance, we are brought into life and sustained by the breath of God within us. The descent of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 reaffirms this truth for us, and it is precisely because we deeply and faithfully remember this that we are able to put into practice the teachings Jesus left for us.

Paul called us "earthen vessels," but within those earthen vessels - within us - lies a great treasure, placed there by God. Therefore, despite our many flaws, weaknesses, and sins, we are able to accomplish far greater works than we ever could on our own, and we are able to see our prayers answered, as is taught in today's Scripture reading. So let us give thanks that the 100-year history of Ashiya Christian Church has been sustained by this church, kept alive through that breath of life, enabling us to arrive on this day, as we take our first steps into our second century of life as a church.

Let us continue to pray together.

Lord, today we have come again to remember that your Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples, that through you they were empowered to preach the Gospel in spirit and in truth to the whole world, and that because of this the foundations of our universal church, and our church in particular, are laid first on the foundation of the Holy Spirit. We give thanks that our church is one branch of that great tree, and that we are alive today to be a part of it. We pray for your guidance and support, in all the years to come. In the name of Christ Jesus, the Lord and head of our church we pray,

Amen.