キリストの愛にとどまり、互いに愛し合う喜び

神の熱心による救いの計画と、友のために命を捨てられたイエス・キリストの十字架の愛を知り、主の戒めを守って互いに愛し合い、主の愛と喜びのうちにとどまること。

1. 2026年11月1日の礼拝で伊藤彰洋氏は、イザヤ書第9章1節から7節に預言されたメシアの到来に触れ、万軍の主の熱心によって実現したイエス様の十字架の贖いと愛を心に留め、次週の聖餐式に向けて主との深いつながりを再確認することの大切さを語りました。
2. 当時の人々はローマの支配から解放する地上の王としてのメシアを期待していましたが、イエス様が示された真の救いは異邦人のガリラヤにも及ぶ全人類への愛であり、公平と正義による永遠の統治は天国や信仰者の内なる領域において完成されます。
3. 聖餐式を迎えるにあたりコリントの手紙にあるように自らを吟味し、サタンの誘惑や疑惑から離れて悔い改め、唯一の救いであるイエス様を信じる信仰へ立ち返ることが大切です。最後の晩餐のパンと杯は、私たちの罪の身代わりとなった主の体と血を記念するものです。
4. ヨハネによる福音書第15章9節から17節にある通り、父なる神がイエス様を愛されたように主も私たちを愛してくださいました。旧約の動物の犠牲とは異なり、新約の時代は十字架で流された主の血による完全な贖いと愛を信じることで罪の赦しが与えられます。
5. ヨハネによる福音書第15章13節にある「人がその友のために自分の命を捨てること、これよりも大きな愛はない」という御言葉通り、イエス様は私たちをしもべではなく友と呼び、十字架の過酷な苦痛の中で命を投げ出す最大の愛を示してくださいました。
6. イエス様の愛にとどまるためには主の戒めを守ることが求められます。イエス様ご自身も地上での生涯、宣教、サタンの試みへの勝利、奇跡、そして十字架の死に至るまで父なる神の戒めに従い抜くことで、父の愛のうちにとどまる完全な模範を示されました。
7. 世の倫理や法律と対立する場面でも神の戒めを最優先にすべきです。ヨハネの福音書第15章11節やフィリピ人への手紙第4章4節にあるように、主の戒めを守る歩みを通して主の変わらない喜びが心に宿り、私たちのうちに満ちあふれるようになります。
8. 主の戒めの中心は「わたしがあなたがたを愛したように、互いに愛し合いなさい」ということです。主から受ける内なる喜びと愛が土台にあるからこそ、私たちは家族や友人、隣人に対して真実の愛を注ぎ、豊かな実を結ぶことができます。
9. ヨハネによる福音書第15章15節で主が言われたように、主人はしもべに考えを明かしませんが、イエス様は父から聞いた御心をすべて知らせ、ご計画を分かち合う真の友として私たちを選び、深い愛の交わりへと招いてくださっています。
10. イエス様は十字架の死からよみがえり、場所を用意して再び迎えに来られると約束され、助け主である聖霊を送られました。ぶどうの木であるイエス様につながり続け、神の熱心による永遠の救いと再臨への希望を固く保つことが重要です。

1. On November 1, 2026, Preacher Akihiro Ito led the worship service at Tokyo Church, guiding the congregation to praise God through Zion's Harp hymn number five. The sermon emphasized preparing spiritually for the upcoming Holy Communion by meditating deeply on the divine love of Jesus Christ. Partaking in the Lord's Supper is an essential opportunity to remember Christ's substitutionary death on the cross for human sins. Believers are called to examine their relationship with Jesus, recognize their close connection to Him, and reflect on God's profound grace during the preparatory week preceding the holy sacrament.
2. Citing Isaiah 9:1–7, the sermon highlighted the prophetic promise of the Messiah given centuries before His earthly arrival. During the silent centuries without prophets, the Jewish people held firmly to this scripture, which proclaimed that a great light had dawned upon those living in darkness and deep distress. The prophecy promised glory to Galilee of the Gentiles and introduced the coming Savior as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. This grand salvation plan, accomplished by the zeal of the Lord of hosts, establishes everlasting righteousness that transcends human comprehension.
3. The message contrasted worldly expectations with God's spiritual purpose. Historically, many disciples and contemporaries anticipated a political leader who would overthrow Roman oppression and restore earthly peace to Israel. However, Jesus Christ came not to satisfy temporal political ambitions, but to achieve eternal spiritual redemption for all mankind, extending beyond Israel to the Gentile world. At the Last Supper, Jesus established Holy Communion using bread and wine as symbols of His body and blood, fulfilling the divine zeal that brought Him to the cross and securing eternal hope and a heavenly dwelling for all believers.
4. Focusing on John 15:9–17, Preacher Akihiro Ito explained Christ's command to abide in His love, mirroring how the Father loved Jesus and how Jesus obeyed the Father's commandments. In contrast to the Old Covenant's strict animal sacrifices, true reconciliation is now found through faith in Jesus Christ and abiding in His grace. Furthermore, when modern legal or cultural standards conflict with biblical teachings on ethics and marriage, believers are called to prioritize God's commandments over worldly customs. Faithfully observing divine directives enables believers to dwell securely within Christ's love rather than conforming to temporary earthly principles.
5. Drawing from John 15:11 and Philippians 4:4, the sermon addressed the divine promise of fullness of joy. True Christian joy is not an unstable earthly emotion that shifts with external circumstances, but the very joy of Jesus Christ dwelling richly within the hearts of believers. By persevering in faith, remaining obedient to God's commandments, and bearing lasting spiritual fruit, Christians experience an overflowing, complete joy across every season of life. This supernatural joy sustains the congregation in faithful living and serves as vital spiritual preparation for partaking worthily in Holy Communion.
6. Referring to John 15:12, the sermon underscored the central commandment to love one another just as Christ has loved us. When the supernatural joy and grace of Jesus fill the believer's inner being, it naturally overflows into active, sincere kindness toward neighbors, friends, and family. This divine love empowers believers to show unconditional hospitality, forgiveness, and practical care in their everyday interactions. Embodying this mutual love reflects the heart of the Gospel and visibly demonstrates the transformative presence of Jesus Christ working within the Christian community.
7. Examining John 15:13, the preacher emphasized that there is no greater love than laying down one's life for one's friends. Jesus perfectly manifested this supreme, self-giving sacrifice through His agonizing physical suffering and shed blood upon the cross as humanity's substitute. Throughout Christian history, especially during periods of war, conflict, and societal hardship, faithful believers have mirrored Christ's sacrificial example by offering selfless service and protection to others. Meditating on this profound sacrifice helps the congregation understand the infinite price paid by the Savior for their redemption.
8. Preacher Akihiro Ito illustrated how Jesus demonstrated absolute obedience to the Father's commandments throughout His entire earthly existence. This total submission was evident during His quiet early years in subjection to His parents, His endurance through forty days of temptation by Satan in the wilderness, His ministry of healing the sick and casting out demons, and His ultimate surrender on the cross. Just as Christ remained in the Father's love through complete obedience, believers are called to abide in Jesus's love by following His commandments and actively caring for one another.
9. Based on John 15:14–15, the sermon explained how Jesus elevates believers from the status of servants to cherished friends. Unlike servants who are unaware of their master's thoughts, believers have received the full revelation of the Father through Jesus Christ. However, friendship with Christ is not casual or passive; according to scripture, it requires doing whatever He commands. Joyful obedience serves as the clearest expression of genuine devotion to Christ, fostering a profound spiritual intimacy and authentic companionship with the Lord rather than mere formal religious servitude.
10. In conclusion, the sermon reflected on John 15:1–8, urging believers to remain firmly joined to Jesus, the true vine. Although Christ completed His earthly ministry and ascended to heaven, God provided the Holy Spirit as an abiding helper and counselor. Remaining attached to Christ through the Holy Spirit guarantees continuous spiritual nourishment, vitality, fruitful living, and unified fellowship. This vital union sustains the faith of the congregation as they prepare their hearts for community worship and the solemn observance of the holy sacrament.