¹⁵ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:15-17

Jesus is the LORD of all things – He preceded and created all things. He defines all things. He owns all things and sustains all things. He rules all things. Why is that good new? Well, Jesus overflows with love, joy, peace, self-control, zeal and hope.  He is wise, humble, good, gentle, kind, patient and faithful. The Lord of all is the best of all possible beings. This is good news.

2. Human beings are SINNERS facing God’s judgment

For All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

SIN is described in the Scripture as any offense against God in thought, desire, word and deed as well as a power inseparably mixed into fallen humanity. In other words, it is not just that we have all sinned, but that we are all sinners. Our problem is us. Sin and self are intertwined. We are inescapably sinful beings. And the Almighty, Holy God is going to evaluate every one of our sinful thoughts, desires, words and deeds. He is going to judge us. Why would anyone describe that terrifying reality with the phrase “good news”? Because God is going to judge us through Jesus.

¹⁶ This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

3. Jesus is the SAVIOR of sinners

¹⁵ Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…1 Timothy 1:15

The One who will judge us is the SAVIOR who lived a sinless life and died as wrath-absorbing substitute on the Cross, paying the penalty for offenses against God. Therefore, He has the ability to credit His flawless righteousness to sinners so that they are blameless in God’s sight at the judgment. Furthermore, He never sinned, He didn’t die as judgment upon His sin. He voluntarily laid His life down for others and picked that life up again, walking out of the tomb in a glorified human body and rising to the right hand of the throne of God – a comprehensive and cosmic defeat of the power of sin. So, He is also able to supernaturally deliver sinners from their sin-infected selves and has promised to do upon His return. Which sinners is Jesus saving?

4. Jesus is saving sinners who have FAITH in him…

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation is by FAITH. The good news concludes with the promise that Jesus will save everyone who relies on His payment for sins on the Cross and His victory over sin in the Resurrection. This is the only grounds for being right with God and the only way to be delivered from the wrath of God at the judgment.

There are many nationalities live among us… now our mission opportunities are not only overseas but also here in local among our communities…

so this is annual conference…if you are interested in, you should go to this conference next year 2012..

Psalm 23 A psalm of David. (New Living Translation)

¹ The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows  he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³ He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk through the darkest valley,  I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord

Bible tells us that we have a place to go…even He is willing to walk through the darkest valley with you…

Japanese ministry at the Orchard EFC is an unique place to involve because we have many different kinds of ministries like simultaneous Sunday interpretation, English Cafe, Badminton, crafting and so on. If you are interested in this ministry, contact Shohei Suzuki. Also, please visit our ministry page.

City Arlington Heights is the center of Japanese community. There are Japanese School (Futataba-kai), grocery stores (Mistuwa), restaurants, and etc. There are around 20,000 Japanese live in IL. Around 7000 Japanese live in a greater Chicago area.

شكرا جزيلا لزياتكم موقع كنيستنا ““The Orchard بالغة العربية. نحن موجودون في ضواحي شمال غرب شيكاغو، حيث نخدم هناك بنشاط منذ عام ١٩٥٢. اجتمعنا حديثا لمناقشة كيف نخدم احباءنا العرب في المنطقة. إذا كان لديكم أي أسئلة رجاءا لا تترددوا في الاتصال بنا. بارك الله فيكم وفي كافه امور حياتكم. وسنكون سعداء لان نراكم قريبا وجها لوجه. لمزيد من المعلوات رجاء الاتصال بالاخ/ مدحت جبرائيل.

If you are a Christian, you experience two things: First, you know that you are in a struggle. Temptation is all around you. Your awareness of it is heightened. You often feel your own weakness. Second, you know that have been given power. Christ lives in you.

I love the way Paul puts it “To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy which so powerfully works in me” (Colossians 1:29). He is saying “This Christian life isn’t easy. I labor at it. It’s a struggle for me. But the reason I am able to engage in this struggle is that I have been given power. His energy! It works powerfully in me!”

If you talk to a person who has never been born again, and you say “Christ is with you,” it won’t mean anything to him. It sounds like empty talk to him. But the Christian gains strength from this. The presence and power of Jesus Christ in his life is what keeps him going and gives him hope!

What do we overcome?

“Everyone born of God overcomes the world” 1 John 5:4

What does John mean when he says that believers overcome “the world?”

“For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:16

This is what Christ enables you to overcome! The new birth puts you in a position where you are able to deal with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

This is an amazing promise! “Everyone born of God overcomes the world” (1 John 5:4). It does not say that you overcome the world instantly or completely. Throughout this life you will always find yourself in a battle with sin and temptation, but your warfare will lead to victory.

Where does victory begin?

“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world – even our faith.” 1 John 5:5

Victory begins when you recognize that Jesus Christ has given you power to overcome. I have met many people who say they are Christian who simply do not believe this. They insist that they are powerless. They say “Pastor, you don’t understand! The temptation is bigger than I am.” It may be bigger than you, but it is not bigger than Christ, and if you are born again His Spirit lives in you.

So the Christian is not in despair. There may be times when you say “What a wretched man I am.” But then you will also say “Thanks be to God who delivers me through Jesus Christ my Lord.” Regeneration makes the Christian life possible. You can’t live this life by adopting new values. You live this life by becoming a new person.

That is what God offers in the Gospel. The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Not the instructions, the requirements or the expectations of God, the power of God!! For the salvation of everyone who believes.

by Pastor Colin S. Smith

“The Englishmen is rather reserved, as they tend to be, and he says to his new friend, “You are always talking about Jesus Christ.  Why do you make such a big deal of Him?”

The Indian knelt down and gathered some leaves, some twigs and some moss, and placed them in a circle on the ground.  He picked up a live worm and put it in the middle of the circle. Then he lit the leaves.

As the flames rose, the worm began to move, but every way it moved, it got nearer to the flame, and so after a few moments, the worm curled up in the middle and prepared to die.

The Indian reached his hand into the flame, picked up the worm, and held it next to his heart.  Then he said, “I was the worm—helpless, hopeless and on the brink of an eternal fire.  Jesus Christ stretched out His hand.  He saved me from the fire, and took me into the heart of his love.  That is why I make much of Him.”

[3] By J. C. Ryle, “Holiness:  Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots,” p. 245, Moody Publishers, 2010
http://www.amazon.com/Holiness-Abridged-Hindrances-Difficulties-Classics/dp/0802454550/