My First Sermon in Japanese

This Sunday, I preached my first sermon ever ... and it happened to be in Japanese! I started about a month ahead of time, first writing it in English. I then translated it with my Japanese teacher, worked it over to make it my own, and finally practiced it intensely the last 2 days.

The message was about "Jesus - Our Living Hope" based on 1 Peter 1:3-4. I really wanted to share about this idea of HOPE, because there is a lot of hopelessness seen here in Japan. A country of so much wealth and influence, yet the world's 2nd highest rate of suicide in the industrialized world, as well as a growing "hikikomori" problem (adult "hermits" who don't leave their home or engage in society at all).

I shared that our HOPE for eternity is not in ourselves or in our ability, but is in Christ alone, the author and perfecter of our faith. Our HOPE for each day comes from trusting in God's good and perfect plan, and having the assurance that the sovereign Lord of the universe works all things for our good, and ultimately for His glory!

Here is one of the 16 pages I used for the sermon. It took about 35 minutes (much too long to know by heart) so I wrote it in a way using underlining, different colors, and fonts to help me with tricky passages to read. (You can click on the image to get a larger view).


God was gracious, and I really felt I was able to communicate this message from the heart. I received positive feedback, and I pray that God uses this message to encourage our church here in Karuizawa and reveal to His glory.